When are sealants indicated?

When are sealants indicated?

• A. For teeth with shallow pits & fissures
• B. For teeth with deep pits & fissures, preferably recently erupted teeth less than 4 years
• C. For all teeth regardless of pits
• D. Only after caries occurs

Answer: (B)

Sealants are meant to protect areas that are most at risk for caries—deep pits and fissures where plaque and food particles can hide and brushing may not reach effectively. The best time to place them is when the grooves are most receptive to bonding, which is on newly erupted teeth. Placing sealants within the first few years after eruption, ideally under four years, takes advantage of clean, still-maturing enamel that bonds well to etched surfaces and where the sealant can stay for a long time, providing maximum preventive benefit. That’s why the indication centers on deep pits and fissures, particularly in recently erupted teeth, rather than shallow fissures or all teeth indiscriminately. Sealants aren’t used after caries has appeared because their job is prevention, not treatment; once caries is present, the tooth requires restorative care rather than sealing.

Sealants are meant to protect areas that are most at risk for caries—deep pits and fissures where plaque and food particles can hide and brushing may not reach effectively. The best time to place them is when the grooves are most receptive to bonding, which is on newly erupted teeth. Placing sealants within the first few years after eruption, ideally under four years, takes advantage of clean, still-maturing enamel that bonds well to etched surfaces and where the sealant can stay for a long time, providing maximum preventive benefit.

That’s why the indication centers on deep pits and fissures, particularly in recently erupted teeth, rather than shallow fissures or all teeth indiscriminately. Sealants aren’t used after caries has appeared because their job is prevention, not treatment; once caries is present, the tooth requires restorative care rather than sealing.