Pit and Fissure Sealants

Abstract

Among schoolchildren, pit and fissure caries have been accounted for approximately 80–90% of all caries in permanent posterior teeth. The occlusal surfaces of permanent molars are highly susceptible to caries development, especially during eruption in the oral cavity. A fissure sealant is a material that is placed in the pits and fissures of teeth and prevents the entrance of the cariogenic bacteria and their nutrients inside these anatomical features. The aim of this chapter is to give the most updated information about the history and the different types of the pit and fissure sealants used most often in daily practice. The first attempt to prevent occlusal caries by applying silver nitrate to tooth surfaces was carried out by Willoughby Miller, as early as 1905. Since then, the history shows that the evolution in the pit and fissure sealants has started from the materials being activated with ultraviolet light, moved to those which were autopolymerized, then to the sealants which were activated by visible light, from resins and glass ionomer to compomers, resin-modified and flowable composite sealants, unfilled to partially filled, opaque, clear to white or other colors, and those containing fluoride or not. Resin based mainly and glass ionomer secondly remain the materials used as pit and fissure sealants. Other materials such as compomers, resin-modified glass ionomer, and flowable composites were also introduced as sealants. Although their use looked promising, further clinical trials need to be conducted about their effectiveness and retention over time. Literature indicates that pit and fissure sealants are safe to be used.