Which of the following represents an indication for sealants?

Sealants are primarily used to prevent cavities, particularly in the grooves and pits of the teeth where decay is likely to occur. The goal of applying sealants is to provide a protective barrier that keeps food particles and bacteria away from these vulnerable areas.

Teeth that do not show any visible signs of decay but are at a higher risk for cavities, such as those with deep grooves, are excellent candidates for sealant application. In this context, fully erupted wisdom teeth, which can often be difficult to clean effectively, might still benefit from preventive measures such as sealants.

However, teeth with adjacent occlusal decay would not be suitable candidates for sealants because the presence of existing decay indicates that the tooth is already compromised and the sealant would not address the underlying problem. Existing restorations also indicate that the tooth has had previous restorative work, meaning sealants would not be necessary or effective in these cases. Using a sealant on teeth that show no signs of decay is a proactive approach to prevent future decay, making this an appropriate indication for sealant application.