PIT & FISSURE SEALANTS

 WHAT ARE PIT & FISSURE SEALANTS?

                                                                        These are defined as thin plastic coating which are placed on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth to form a mechanical barrier between the tooth structure & the oral environment. They are to be used for teeth which are susceptible to caries.

TYPES OF SEALANTS:

                                         There are 4 different types of fissures namely I,K,U,V.

 TYPE I: They are extremely narrow slits. They are deep, narrow,& quite constricted, resembling a bottle neck. Susceptible to caries.

TYPE K: They are seen as narrow slit associated with larger shape at the bottom. Very susceptible to caries.

TYPE U: They are also shallow & wide. These are self cleansing and somewhat caries resistant.

TYPE V : They are shallow & wide and tend to be self cleansing. They are caries resistant.

HOW IT WORKS: 

Physical obstruction of pits & fissures which prevents colonization of pits & fissure with new bacterium & prevention of fermentable carbohydrates to gain access into pits& fissure so that any remaining bacterium cannot produce acid in carciogenic concentration.

ADVANTAGES OF SEALANTS :

1. Placement of sealants is a non invasive procedure.

2. Sealants will prevent occurence of fissure caries.

3. Sealants can be used at community level for prevention of caries.

4. Easy to apply.

TYPES OF SEALANTS:

1. BASED ON TYPE OF ACTIVATION - A). Self activation, B). External energy activation

2.BASED ON APPEARANCE - A). Transparent, B). Opaque

3.BASED ON FILLER -A). Filled, B). Unfilled.

QUALITIES TO BE CHECKED IN SEALANTS BEFORE APPLICATION:

1. Adequate working time.

2. Rapid cure.

3. Good& prolonged adhesion to enamel.

4. Resistant to wear.

5. Minimum irritation to tissues.

6. Cariostatic action.

PROCEDURE FOR PLACEMENT OF PIT & FISSURE SEALANTS:

1. Cleaning the tooth surface .

2. Centric stops should be registered

3. Isolate the tooth which is to be sealed with sealants.

4. Etching the tooth surface with 37% ortho- phosphoric acid for 15 secs after which it is washed away with a jet of water for 30 secs.Enamel should appear chalky white after washing & drying. After which bonding agent to be applied & light cured. Finally a thin layer of sealant is applied , such that it does not flow into the centric stops and light cured.

5. Occlusal adjustments to be made if needed.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT US AT:

Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center has specialists with proven expertise in Implantology. For more information regarding treatments contact us today.

                                             

                                                No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                                Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                                Chennai - 600 097,

                                                Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS:

Also know as HSV, is an infection that causes herpes. It can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly on the genitals/mouth.The term herpes means to "creep"- which means easily spreading nature.

TYPES 

HSV 1: It causes oral herpes. This type can cause cold sores & fever blisters around the mouth & on the face. This spreads by contact with infected saliva.

HSV 2: It causes genital herpes. Said to be transmitted by sexual contact.

PATHOGENESIS:

Man is the only natural host to HSV, the virus is spread by contact, the usual site for the implantation is skin /mucous membrane.

Incubation period is around 3 to 7 days.

Local symptoms incluse- pain, itching, vaginal & uretheral dischrage & lymphadenopathy

HSV 1( Gingivostomatitis):

Oropharynx is the most commonly affected site. Usually it starts with a tingling

Tiny blisters show up & quickly break open, causing a painful sore which eventually scabs over time.

It is most common to haveout breaks 2 to 3 times a year.

Herpes is contagious, but its possible for one person in a family to have it , while the others dont.

Herpes is spread through direct skin to skin contact.

HSV 2 (GENITAL HERPES) :

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by HSV. This occurs in the absence of symptoms.

There is no cure  for genital herpes, but medications can ease symptoms& reduce the risk of infecting others.

Symptoms begin about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus

Babies born to infected mothers can be exposed to the virus during the birthing process. This may result in brain damage , blindness or death of the newborn.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

1. High temperature.

2.Malaise.

3.Cold sores around the mouth.

4. Red bisters on skin.

5.In most cases , ulcers will heal & the individual will not have any lasting scars.

 

TREATMENT:

1. There is no cure for herpes.

2. Medicines such as acyclovir & valaciclovir fights the herpes virus.

3. Avoid touching an active outbreak site, washing hands frequently.

4.If the medicines are being used to treat a repeat outbreak, they should be started as soon as you feel any tingling, burning or itching.