cured. If contamination is suspected, re-etching of the surface for 20 seconds is indicated.
The sealant should be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. Care should be taken to avoid entrapment of air bubbles, to extend the sealant into all the grooves and pits, and to avoid extension of the sealant onto unetched smooth surfaces or soft tissues. The sealant must remain uncontaminated and undisturbed until it is cured to hardness.
The sealant should be examined by yourself first, and then check ed by a dentist to ensure that underextension, overextension, undercuring, voids, and high spots have not occurred. A reasonable attempt should be made to remove the sealant to determine if adequate bond strength has been established.
Fluoride should not be applied to the enamel surface immediately before a sealant procedure is initiated. Fluoride may be applied immediately after sealant application.
The most common reason for sealant failure is contamination of the etched surface with saliva or air- line moisture (from the air syringe) or oil.
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