[Extended fissure sealing--a review for the dental practitioner]

There is scientific proof that destructive processes of the oral cavity can be avoided through a combination of general prophylaxis with individual preventive care. In children with few or no carious lesions in the deciduous dentition a complete eradication of caries of the permanent teeth should definitely be attempted. Pits and fissures of premolars and molars should therefore be individually sealed within six months after tooth eruption. In cases of incipient occlusal caries preventive resin restorations allow the repair with a minimum of tooth removal, i.e. therapeutic preventive dentistry. The use of the somewhat destructive conventional restorative techniques including prophylactic odontotomy, fissure eradication and extension for prevention that are unfortunately favored by the common dental fee policy should be strictly limited to cases where better alternatives are as yet unpracticable.