EFDA Sealant Application and Polishing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of pit and fissure sealant requires a curing light to polymerize?
- Self-cured (autopolymerizing) sealant
- Light-cured (photopolymerized) sealant (Correct answer)
- Glass ionomer sealant
- Fluoride varnish
Correct answer: Light-cured (photopolymerized) sealant
Light-cured sealants contain a photoinitiator that activates only when exposed to a curing light of the appropriate wavelength.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of applying a conditioner (etchant) before sealant placement?
- To remove stains from the enamel surface
- To create microporosities in enamel for mechanical retention (Correct answer)
- To sterilize the tooth surface
- To desensitize the dentin before bonding
Correct answer: To create microporosities in enamel for mechanical retention
Acid etching creates microscopic pores in the enamel that allow resin tags to form, providing mechanical retention for the sealant.
Question 3: A patient returns six months after sealant placement and the sealant appears partially missing. What is the MOST likely cause?
- The tooth was over-etched during preparation
- Moisture contamination occurred during the bonding step (Correct answer)
- The curing light was held too close to the sealant
- Excessive sealant material was applied
Correct answer: Moisture contamination occurred during the bonding step
Moisture contamination is the most common cause of sealant failure because saliva or water disrupts the bond between the etched enamel and resin.
Question 4: When evaluating sealant integrity at a recall appointment, which instrument is most appropriate?
- Periodontal probe
- Explorer (Correct answer)
- Mouth mirror only
- Articulating paper
Correct answer: Explorer
A sharp explorer is used to assess sealant retention by checking for voids, gaps, or areas where the sealant can be displaced.
Question 5: Which teeth are considered the BEST candidates for pit and fissure sealants?
- Primary incisors with deep lingual pits
- Permanent molars with deep occlusal pits and fissures (Correct answer)
- Teeth with existing Class II restorations
- Fully erupted teeth with open, shallow fissures
Correct answer: Permanent molars with deep occlusal pits and fissures
Permanent molars with deep, narrow pits and fissures are the highest-risk sites for caries and the best candidates for sealant placement.
Question 6: How long should phosphoric acid etchant typically remain on enamel before rinsing?
- 5–10 seconds
- 15–30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 45–60 seconds
- 2 minutes
Correct answer: 15–30 seconds
Phosphoric acid is applied for 15–30 seconds on permanent enamel to achieve adequate microporosity without over-etching.
Question 7: After rinsing the etchant, properly etched enamel should appear:
- Shiny and glassy
- Chalky white or frosted (Correct answer)
- Slightly yellow
- Translucent and wet
Correct answer: Chalky white or frosted
Correctly etched enamel takes on a chalky white, frosted appearance due to the removal of surface mineral content creating microporosities.
EFDA Sealant Application and Polishing 2
Which type of pit and fissure sealant requires a curing light to polymerize?