GIC-Based Fissure Sealants — Clinical Procedure (Summary)

When to choose GIC (typical indications)

Moisture control is difficult (use as interim preventive measure until resin sealant feasible).
Partially erupted teeth.
Developmental enamel defects (hypomineralised/hypoplastic).

Visual (ICDAS) is primary; radiographs have limited sensitivity early for occlusal lesions.

Isolation (still important)
- GIC is less moisture sensitive than resin, but maintaining control improves outcomes.
Surface cleaning
- Remove obvious soft debris if present (conservative cleaning as needed).
Conditioning
- Dentine conditioner (polyacrylic acid) is for smear layer removal in dentine.
- For sealing enamel with GIC, notes state conditioning shows no significant benefit → not recommended.
Mix/prepare GIC sealant
- Conventional GICs are used (notes state not resin-modified GICs for sealants).
- Examples mentioned in notes: Fuji 7 (low viscosity/high flow), Fuji 9 / Equia Forte (more viscous; restorative).
Apply and adapt
- Place GIC into fissures.
- Adapt using finger pressure with a “finger glove” technique (clean glove finger over operator’s gloved finger) to avoid contamination.
- (This finger-pressure technique is for GIC, not resin.)
Protect during initial set (glaze/coating)
- Apply a protective coating (e.g., G-Coat Plus, cocoa butter, Vaseline) to prevent moisture contamination/dehydration during early set (thin layer).
Evaluate
- Ensure fissure system filled appropriately (avoid underfill/overfill).
- Plan recall.

Retention is generally lower than resin-based sealants; monitor and repair/reseal as needed.
Notes mention possible cariostatic effect even if material appears lost (residual remnants), but evidence is limited/conflicting—still requires clinical monitoring.