The sealant restoration: indications, success and clinical technique.

In this paper we have considered the available literature which demonstrates that sealant restorations perform at least as well as amalgam restorations and are more conservative. Success depends on retention of the overlying sealant and if this is fully retained it is unlikely that any residual caries will progress. The diagnosis of occlusal caries and indications for sealant restorations are discussed and the clinical technique is described. We have concluded that sealant restorations are the optimum restoration in small and discrete occlusal cavities.