Sealant Application and Polishing Flashcards

Which of the following steps should be performed IMMEDIATELY before applying the sealant material to the tooth?

Answer: Dry the etched tooth thoroughly with air

The etched enamel must be thoroughly dried before sealant application to ensure the resin can flow into the microporosities without moisture interference.

An air-water syringe tip used during sealant placement must be verified to be free of:

Answer: Oil and water contamination

Compressor oil or water from the air-water syringe can contaminate the etched enamel surface and compromise the sealant bond.

For a partially erupted molar where full isolation is difficult, which sealant material is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Glass ionomer cement sealant

Glass ionomer sealants are preferred for partially erupted teeth because they chemically bond to enamel without requiring a perfectly dry field.

When applying sealant material, the applicator brush or tip should be used to:

Answer: Flow the material gently into pits and fissures, avoiding air bubbles

Sealant should be gently flowed into the pits and fissures using capillary action to prevent air bubble entrapment that can create voids.

A high spot on a newly placed sealant is BEST corrected using:

Answer: A finishing bur or fine diamond in a high-speed handpiece

A finishing bur or fine diamond bur is used to selectively reduce high spots on the sealant until articulating paper no longer marks the area.

The recommended curing time for most light-cured pit and fissure sealants is:

Answer: 20–30 seconds

Most manufacturers recommend 20–30 seconds of curing time per area to ensure adequate polymerization depth and sealant strength.

After sealant placement, fluoride varnish application is beneficial because it:

Answer: Provides additional caries protection to unsealed surfaces and margins

Fluoride varnish applied after sealant placement helps remineralize adjacent enamel and any areas not fully covered by the sealant.