Sealant prevalence and indication in a young military population.

The prevalence of sealants and indications for their use was surveyed in U.S. Air Force personnel younger than 26. Sealants were found on 13.1 percent and indicated for 47.5 percent. About a third of all personnel had occlusal caries, which might have been prevented by sealants.

Retention of sealants placed by dental technicians without assistance.

The retention rate of sealants placed by dental auxiliaries has not been studied extensively. This study recorded and compiled the retention rate of sealants placed by Air Force dental technicians over a two-year period. The technicians, who were equivalent to dental assistants, were trained to place the sealants without assistance using the Vac-Ejector (Whaledent International, New York, NY) system for isolation. Five hundred and ninety-nine sealants on 90 patients were evaluated an average of 13.9 months after sealant placement. The overall complete retention rate was 91.0%, with a partial loss rate of 7.0%, and a complete loss rate of 2.0%. These results suggest that pit and fissure sealants can be placed in this cost-effective manner with a relatively high retention rate.

Prevalence of dental caries in USAF family members age 3-15.

This study was undertaken to determine the caries prevalence and restorative needs of United States Air Force (USAF) family members ages 3-15. Examinations were performed on 1802 USAF children at five bases. Indexes recorded were: Decayed, Missing, Filled Surfaces (DMFS) for permanent teeth; decayed, filled surfaces (dfs) for primary teeth; and a Dental Restorative Treatment Need Index. Results indicate an increase in the dfs and DMFS index with age, with more caries present in young children located overseas. No significant differences between children of officers and enlisted members were found. A higher dfs and DMFS index was found in other racial families as compared to blacks or whites. This study's overall population sample had a higher dfs index but lower DMFS index than the 1986-87 NIDR survey showed.

Effects of systemic fluoride on the morphology of occlusal grooves of primary and permanent molars.

Molars developed in the presence of systemic fluoride have been judged to have shallow grooves and short cusps. In this replication study, however, both water fluoridation and fluoride supplementation had no significant effect on the groove-widths or depths.

Penetration of gel and solution etchants in occlusal fissures.

The major clinical advantage of a phosphoric acid gel etchant is its superior control during placement. However, its viscosity can impede penetration into occlusal fissures, resulting in adequate etching and decreased pit-and-fissure sealant retention. This study examined the penetration of gel and liquid phosphoric acid etchants in occlusal fissures. The depth of fissure penetration of the acids was investigated using paired, sectioned samples and evaluated with a scanning electron microscope. The etch pattern was measured from the base of the fissure to the first demonstrable evidence of etched enamel. A variable pattern of etched enamel was present at the base of the fissure to no pattern observable at distances of 15 microns from the base. A frequent finding was that debris partially or totally blocked the fissure orifice, preventing acid penetration. Utilizing a paired t-test, no statistically significant difference (0.5 less than p less than 0.8) in the fissure penetration of gel or liquid phosphoric acid etchants could be shown.

Direct bonded glass ionomer crowns.

After one year in function, the crowns appear to wear well, are well-retained, and remain esthetically pleasing. The glass ionomer filling materials show a great potential in restoring severely carious incisors with direct bond crowns.