EFDA Sealant Application and Polishing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which factor most significantly affects the long-term retention rate of pit and fissure sealants?
- The brand of sealant material used
- Moisture control during placement (Correct answer)
- The age of the patient
- Whether the sealant is filled or unfilled
Correct answer: Moisture control during placement
Adequate moisture control is the single most critical factor in sealant retention because contamination prevents proper bonding to etched enamel.
Question 2: Coronal polishing before sealant placement is intended to remove:
- Calculus and heavy stain deposits
- Plaque and light stain from tooth surfaces (Correct answer)
- Carious dentin from pits and fissures
- Old composite resin restorations
Correct answer: Plaque and light stain from tooth surfaces
Coronal polishing removes soft deposits and light stain so the enamel surface is clean for effective etching and bonding.
Question 3: Which prophy angle motion is recommended during coronal polishing to prevent heat buildup?
- Constant high-speed rotation with firm pressure
- Intermittent light pressure with a slow-speed, low-rpm technique (Correct answer)
- Rapid side-to-side horizontal strokes
- Heavy apical pressure to clean the gingival margin
Correct answer: Intermittent light pressure with a slow-speed, low-rpm technique
Intermittent, light-pressure strokes at low speed minimize frictional heat that could damage the enamel or pulp.
Question 4: A filled resin sealant differs from an unfilled resin sealant primarily in that it:
- Does not require a curing light
- Has greater wear resistance due to filler particles (Correct answer)
- Is less viscous and flows more easily into fissures
- Releases fluoride ions over time
Correct answer: Has greater wear resistance due to filler particles
Filled sealants contain inorganic filler particles that increase wear resistance, making them better able to withstand occlusal forces.
Question 5: When would it be CONTRAINDICATED to place a pit and fissure sealant?
- A 7-year-old with a newly erupted first permanent molar
- A tooth with an open, shallow fissure that self-cleanses easily (Correct answer)
- A tooth with early non-cavitated enamel caries
- A patient with high caries risk
Correct answer: A tooth with an open, shallow fissure that self-cleanses easily
Teeth with open, shallow fissures that can be cleaned by a toothbrush are self-cleansing and do not benefit from sealant placement.
Question 6: During coronal polishing, which surface of posterior teeth is most commonly polished using a prophy cup?
- Interproximal contact areas
- Buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces accessible to the cup (Correct answer)
- Subgingival root surfaces
- Enamel beneath the contact point
Correct answer: Buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces accessible to the cup
Prophy cups are effective on smooth accessible surfaces such as the buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces but cannot reach tight interproximal areas.
Question 7: What is the purpose of applying a bonding agent before some resin-based sealants?
- To substitute for the acid etching step
- To enhance adhesion by wetting the etched enamel and filling microporosities (Correct answer)
- To prevent discoloration of the sealant over time
- To reduce the curing time needed for the sealant
Correct answer: To enhance adhesion by wetting the etched enamel and filling microporosities
A bonding agent improves the sealant's adhesion by penetrating the etched enamel surface and creating a resin-enamel hybrid layer that enhances retention.
EFDA Sealant Application and Polishing 5
Which factor most significantly affects the long-term retention rate of pit and fissure sealants?