EFDA Sealant Application and Polishing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following steps should be performed IMMEDIATELY before applying the sealant material to the tooth?
- Re-etch the tooth for 10 more seconds
- Dry the etched tooth thoroughly with air (Correct answer)
- Apply fluoride varnish to the surface
- Polish with pumice again
Correct 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.
Question 2: An air-water syringe tip used during sealant placement must be verified to be free of:
- Fluoride particles
- Air pressure
- Oil and water contamination (Correct answer)
- Sodium hypochlorite residue
Correct 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.
Question 3: For a partially erupted molar where full isolation is difficult, which sealant material is MOST appropriate?
- Resin-based filled sealant
- Resin-based unfilled sealant
- Glass ionomer cement sealant (Correct answer)
- Composite resin
Correct 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.
Question 4: When applying sealant material, the applicator brush or tip should be used to:
- Scrub the material into the fissures with circular strokes
- Flow the material gently into pits and fissures, avoiding air bubbles (Correct answer)
- Apply a very thick coat to ensure complete coverage
- Spread material across the entire buccal surface
Correct 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.
Question 5: A high spot on a newly placed sealant is BEST corrected using:
- A slow-speed handpiece with a green stone
- A finishing bur or fine diamond in a high-speed handpiece (Correct answer)
- A scaler to chip away the excess material
- Sandpaper discs
Correct 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.
Question 6: The recommended curing time for most light-cured pit and fissure sealants is:
- 5–10 seconds
- 10–20 seconds
- 20–30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60 seconds
Correct answer: 20–30 seconds
Most manufacturers recommend 20–30 seconds of curing time per area to ensure adequate polymerization depth and sealant strength.
Question 7: After sealant placement, fluoride varnish application is beneficial because it:
- Replaces the need for future sealant reapplication
- Provides additional caries protection to unsealed surfaces and margins (Correct answer)
- Hardens the sealant surface further
- Prevents the sealant from becoming discolored
Correct 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.
EFDA Sealant Application and Polishing 4
Which of the following steps should be performed IMMEDIATELY before applying the sealant material to the tooth?