SEALED AND SECURE: PIT-AND-FISSURE SEALANTS
Counter patient risk factors with a caries prevention plan that includes strong, protective, and easy-to-apply pit-and-fissure sealants
For some patients, despite regular dental cleanings and good at-home hygiene habits, tooth decay is tough to avoid. Children, in particular, are faced with risk factors ranging from high levels of cariogenic bacteria, to low saliva flow and sugar exposure, while older adults are more likely to develop receding gum lines that increase the likelihood of decay- causing bacteria settling on their exposed root surfaces.
Proper application of dental sealants can help turn these risks around. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for 2 years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years. Just a thin coating placed in the pit and fissures of premolars and molars creates a protective shield against bacteria and promotes early caries intervention.
Yet while sealants offer a tremendous oral health benefit, certain misperceptions have circulated, including the risk of bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical compound sometimes found in dental composites and sealants as a byproduct of degradation. Despite this concern, research shows that the BPA release in dental sealants is extremely low. Patients are more likely to be exposed to it from food, sunscreen, and even cash register receipts.
Above all, practices must choose an economical, convenient, and effective dental sealant that provides unique benefits and reliable protection. Here are some of the key products on the market.
Sealants
Featuring patented SmartCap Technology, Premier’s BioCoat provides protection against acid attacks through the daily release of fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ions. This bioactive pit-and-fissure sealant offers easy handling and ideal retention to seal margins against microleakage and help reduce the risk of caries.
An economical option, Toothfairy BPA-free pit-and-fissure sealant from Septodont enables multiple applications per syringe. The margin-free, nontoxic material offers low viscosity that ensures penetration into the dentinal tubules, while the high polymerization conversion leads to low shrinkage and short curing time.
Ultradent's UltraSeal XT plus is indicated for prophylactic sealing of pits and fissures, and can be used for microrestorative or as an initial layer of composite restorations. A light-cured, radiopaque, fluoride-releasing composite sealant, it offers bubble-free, drip-free placement and high marginal retention to prevent microleakage.
Simplifying flow control, Kuraray’s TEETHMATE F-1 is a fluoride-releasing, light-curing sealant with a convenient pin application system. The unfilled, low-viscosity composite penetrates deep into pits and fissures for better long-term sealing and minimal occlusal wear.
A hydrophilic, wet bond material that bonds well in a moist environment, Vista Apex’s RE-GEN Pit & Fissure Sealant uses its bioactive properties to prevent demineralization and inhibit secondary caries at the margin. The release of biologically charged ions (phosphate, calcium, and fluoride) increases enamel hardness and stimulates hydroxyapatite formation.
Shofu’s BeautiSealant is a HEMA- and BPA-free pit-and-fissure sealant that offers ideal handling and viscosity, and delivers a smooth, bubble-free consistency during application. It incorporates proprietary bioactive Giomer technology for the sustained release and recharge of 6 beneficial ions.
With a 70% fill rate, Grandio Seal from VOCO is a highly flowable, light-curing fissure sealant material that can withstand daily chew loading even without adhesive luting. Unique long-term benefits include low abrasion, better wearability, higher transverse strength, low shrinkage, and enhanced handling for easy placement.
A low-viscosity resin system, Natural Elegance Pit & Fissure Sealant from Henry Schein has a white opaque color to help identify retention at recall appointments. The material cures quickly and comes in a direct-delivery syringe, providing a quick and easy application and long-lasting effectiveness.
Patterson Pit & Fissure Sealant protects against dental caries by sealing occlusal surfaces and inhibiting acid conditions caused by oral bacteria and dietary carbohydrates. The fluoride-releasing, radiopaque sealant offers a pearlescent color easily seen in the mouth.
Formulated with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), Keystone’s Aegis Pit & Fissure Sealant can be used with any light-curing device and offers the added convenience of dispensing through syringe tips. Forming a chemical and thermal barrier, the material’s controlled flowability keeps the sealant on the tooth while completely filling the pits and fissures, and it can be easily placed on the buccal.
Using a moisture-tolerant chemistry, Centrix’s Champ is packaged in a convenient, single-dose LolliPack for greater infection control. The single, brush-on application requires just one sweep from cusp to cusp, and the resulting margin-free seal prevents any pitting, chipping, or staining.
