SEALING OF CARIOUS FISSURES

Several studies have shown that resin sealants are able to stop further progression of carious lesions in pits and fissures, even dentin lesions (Mertz-Fairhurst et al, 1986: Handelman 1991).  The rationale for this approach is that the placement of a sealant isolates the carious lesion from the surface biofilm.  This suggests a therapeutic use for sealants in addition to a preventive one.  However, it seems to be a general convention that the use should be limited to fissures where the lesion seems to be confined to the enamel, and that dentin lesions should be restored, preferably by the use of minimal intervention techniques, like the preventive resin restoration (Waggoner and Siegal, 1996; Workshop on Guidelines for Sealant use: recommendations, 1995).