Deck 59: Dental Sealants

Question 1

Why are sealants contraindicated with proximal decay?

A)Proximal decay will spread to the occlusal surface.
B)Posterior proximal tooth preparation will usually include the occlusal pits and fissures.
C)Sealants are placed on smooth surfaces and the proximal area is a smooth surface.
D)Sealants are placed on smooth surfaces and the proximal area is a rough surface.

Answer 1

Posterior proximal tooth preparation will usually include the occlusal pits and fissures.

Question 2

What is the primary reason that few children are protected by dental sealants?

A)They are not recommended by the American Dental Association.
B)They have not been shown to reduce decay significantly.
C)There is a lack of public awareness.
D)They are not effective for prevention of pit and fissure decay in posterior teeth.

Answer 2

There is a lack of public awareness.

Question 3

Which statement is correct regarding a properly placed sealant over small initial carious lesions?

A)The decay will continue to develop under the sealant.
B)Bacteria can survive under a sealant.
C)The number of bacteria in small carious lesions decreases over time.
D)The number of bacteria in small carious lesions increases over time.

Answer 3

The number of bacteria in small carious lesions decreases over time.

Question 4

Which type of sealant is polymerized by chemical reaction?

A)Cold-cured
B)Light-cured
C)Self-cured
D)Dual-cured

Question 5

Which statement describes why pits and fissures are more susceptible to decay than smooth surfaces?

A)They do not benefit from the effects of fluoride.
B)The enamel at the base of fissures is thinner.
C)Saliva cannot clean deep pits and fissures.
D)All are reasons pits and fissures are susceptible.

Question 6

Sealant material should not be stored in proximity to ____-containing products.

A)acrylate
B)eugenol
C)sodium bicarbonate
D)Bis-GMA

Question 7

Properly placed dental sealants are ___% effective in protecting against development of caries in sealed surfaces.

A)70
B)80
C)90
D)100

Question 8

What is the single most important factor in the success of a sealant?

A)The type of material used
B)That it be properly placed
C)That the patient be recalled
D)That the patient continues to brush

Question 9

Enamel that has been etched has what appearance when dry?

A)Shiny
B)Frosty
C)Wet
D)Slightly yellow

Question 10

The retention of the sealant is obtained by etching the enamel with what?

A)Citric acid
B)Phosphoric acid
C)Eugenol
D)Pumice

Question 11

Self-cured sealant materials are supplied as a two-part system that includes what components?

A)A base
B)A catalyst
C)Filled resins
D)Both a and b

Question 12

Sealants are indicated for which areas?

A)Cervical one third of any tooth
B)Posterior but not anterior teeth
C)The smooth surfaces of teeth but not pits and fissures
D)Pits and fissures

Question 13

What is the most common cause of sealant loss?

A)Use of unfilled material
B)Use of outdated material
C)Moisture contamination during placement
D)Chewing gum or sticky candy

Question 14

If you use an air polishing device that uses sodium bicarbonate for cleaning enamel before sealant placement,the etching step should be repeated for a second time,or _____ should be applied to the surface for 10 seconds to neutralize the sodium bicarbonate and then thoroughly rinsed off with water before applying the etch.

A)surgical soap
B)chlorhexidine
C)3% hydrogen peroxide
D)sodium hypochlorite

Question 15

The first step in placing dental sealants is to _____ the surface.

A)etch
B)isolate
C)clean
D)prime

Question 16

Dental sealants replace other preventive care.

Question 17

Which statement represents an indication for sealants?

A)Presence of small interproximal decay
B)A partially erupted tooth
C)Adjacent teeth with occlusal decay
D)Patient has adequate fluoride program

Question 18

The highest risk period for decay occurs within the first ___ years of eruption.

A)3
B)5
C)7
D)9

Question 19

Which teeth would be the most likely candidates for sealants?

A)Premolars
B)Teeth that are well coalesced
C)Teeth that have been erupted for 6 years
D)Primary molars with deep pits and fissures

Question 20

Sealants are used in only ____% of low-income children.

A)50
B)75
C)15
D)30

Question 21

Clinical researchers have shown that sealing the margins of amalgam and composite restorations with unfilled resins will do which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A)Promote microleakage
B)Arrest the progression of caries
C)Preserve existing restorations
D)Preserve tooth structure

Question 22

Which technique error most commonly leads to sealant failure?

A)Moisture
B)Fail to cure properly
C)Not using enough material
D)Using too much material

Question 23

What item can be used in interproximal spaces to prevent the etchant from contacting adjacent teeth during the etching procedure?

A)Dental floss
B)Wedges
C)Mylar strip
D)Metal matrix band

Question 24

What is the claimed benefit of fluoride-released sealant materials?

A)They will prevent future caries development even if the sealant is lost.
B)They create a fluoride-rich layer that may make pits and fissures more resistant to decay.
C)They aid in rematerializing incipient decay.
D)Both b and c are benefits.

Question 25

Which statement is correct when comparing filled sealant material with unfilled sealant material?

A)It requires occlusal adjustment.
B)It has a lower wear rate.
C)It may be visible on radiographs.
D)All of the above are correct statements.

Question 26

Which situation indicates that a sealant may have to be replaced or adjusted?

A)The explore catches.
B)Floss does not easily pass through contact.
C)The shine is not even.
D)All of the above are indications.

Question 27

What is an advantage of a tinted sealant material over clear or colorless material?

A)It is easier to see during application.
B)It aids in recall checks for sealant retention.
C)It is stronger.
D)Both a and b are advantages.

Question 28

Which technique is sometimes used before sealant application to open fissures and remove slight decay?

A)Rubber cup polishing
B)Bristle-brush polishing
C)Microabrasion
D)Scaling