Michael Buonocore and the Eastman Dental Center: a historic perspective on sealants

Dr. Michael Buonocore is known for his innovative research on the preparation of the enamel surface with a weak acid to enhance adhesion of an organic plastic chemical sealant and the polymerization in situ of a sealant with ultraviolet light. His co-workers at Eastman Dental Center aided and extended his research findings. The purpose of his original research was the development of a sealant to prevent occlusal caries on posterior teeth. However, the major impact of his work has been the development of adhesive restorative techniques. Although it has been demonstrated that (i) bacteria tend to die out and caries does not progress if early caries lesions are inadvertently sealed, (ii) sealant retention rates are favorable, and (iii) sealants are cost-effective, the use of sealants by the profession is still far short of early expectations.