 |
| Dental caries affects billions globally, including 2.4 billion adults and 520 million children. If left untreated, caries progresses to dental pulp irritation, tooth structure destruction, pain, and eventual tooth loss. It diminishes quality of life, self-esteem, and can lead to depression. Pits and fissures on tooth surfaces are particularly prone to caries due to their anatomical complexity, which facilitates microbial accumulation and acid-induced demineralization. Historically, invasive procedures aimed to eliminate fissures, but non-invasive sealants now provide effective protection. |
| Cell Homing Strategies in Dental Tissue Regeneration |
|
| Dental sealants are categorized into three main types based on their composition: |
| Resin Sealants: |
|
|
|
| Contains organic resin-based oligomer matrix, eg. Bis-GMA, Urethane-dimethacrylate (UDMA) and Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). |
|
|
|
|
| Subcategories include auto-cure, fluoride-releasing, and hydrophobic/hydrophilic resin sealants. |
|
|
|
|
| Known for their superior retention rates and ability to prevent caries. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Includes conventional and resin-modified variants. |
|
|
|
|
| They release fluoride, aiding in remineralization and caries prevention, especially under challenging moisture conditions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Combines elements of resin and glass ionomer technologies (e.g., compomers, giomers). |
|
|
|
|
| Limited adoption due to fewer studies supporting their long-term efficacy. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Dental sealants prevent and arrest caries through three primary mechanisms: |
|
|
|
Physical Barrier:
Sealants block food particles and bacteria from entering pits and fissures, inhibiting biofilm growth. |
|
|
|
|
Ease of Cleaning:
By smoothing out occlusal surfaces, sealants make tooth cleaning more effective, reducing plaque accumulation. |
|
|
|
|
Ion Release:
Certain sealants release fluoride, borate, and strontium ions, promoting remineralization and inhibiting bacterial activity. |
|
|
|
|
| Effectiveness in Caries Prevention |
| Recent studies (2012–2022) confirm dental sealants as effective in preventing and arresting caries. Preventive fractions for resin and glass ionomer sealants were 92% at 6 months, 64–88% (resin) and 88% (glass ionomer) at 18 months, and 61% (resin) and 35% (glass ionomer) at 60 months. Data on hybrid sealants remain limited. |
| |
|
|
| Dental sealants are indicated for: |
|
|
|
| High-Caries-Risk Patients: Proven cost-effective in this population. |
|
|
|
|
| Primary and Permanent Teeth: Effective on both occlusal and smooth surfaces. |
|
|
|
|
| Non-Cavitated Lesions: Demonstrates superior arrest rates compared to untreated lesions. |
|
|
|
|
| Partially Erupted Teeth: Glass ionomer sealants are preferred due to better performance under moisture. |
|
|
|
|
| Fluorotic Teeth: Resin sealants outperform glass ionomers in retention. |
|
|
|
|
| Conclusion |
| Dental sealants are a cornerstone of modern caries management, offering an effective, non-invasive solution to protect susceptible tooth surfaces. With proper application and material selection, sealants can significantly reduce the global burden of dental caries and improve oral health outcomes. |
|
| GGI-CO-A1-AQS-300032384-AM-B25-0187 |
| Reference: |
| Ng, T. C., Chu, C., & Yu, O. Y. (2023). A concise review of dental sealants in caries management. Frontiers in Oral Health, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2023.1180405 |
|
|
|
|
|
