Cavity symptoms or signs of tooth decay can include sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweet foods. Can a sealant be placed over existing tooth decay? After cleansing the tooth, an etchant solution is applied so that the sealant will adhere to the tooth enamel. 2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354837/ You should also be aware that BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical used in plastics and associated with some health and developmental problems in humans and animals, has been studied as a potential issue with dental sealants. Some research has shown that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Dental sealants are a quick, easy, and painless way to prevent most cavities children get in the permanent back teeth where 9 in 10 cavities occur. Specifically, the gums swelled, and I ended up with a rash in my mouth, as well as painful and swollen lymph node under the jawline on that side. There are strategies to lower the exposure to BPA when sealants are placed which we will discuss below. Thank you for stopping by and adding your experienced views to our discussion! This painless procedure can be $30 to $60 per tooth, although some insurance or discount plans can reduce that cost. It seals off grooves and crannies that tend to collect food, protecting tooth enamel from plaque and acid. My molars came in without enamel, so my folks had sealants put on them. Children from low income households were 20 percent less likely to have sealants than children from higher income households. 2 BOTTOM LINE Dental sealants are an important part of the caries prevention armamentarium. I havent researched this option yet. We are honored that you appreciate stopping by here to offer your experience. But sealants are extremely common, safe, and helpful applications to get. Great question! Dental amalgam is a dental filling material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. I look forward to your interview with her! Is this safe? At this point, if I were in your shoes, I would leave them in place and just be aware of potential issues and take corrective actions in the future if needed. SDF is made of: silver: helps kill. With this recommendation, you may have some questions about the application of this material. Applying sealants in schools for about 7 million children from low-income families who dont have them could save up to $300 million in dental treatment costs. 2 Tooth loss may affect the ability to chew food and can get worse with the number and type of missing teethaffecting a person's diet quality. Place a gel on the tooth's chewing surface. This fact is just an ethical pet peeve of ours. Prevalence of dental caries and fissure sealants in a Portuguese sample of adolescents. Yes, I believe it is. I have tried searching unsuccessfully. Very few dental sealants contain BPA these days. Also this article is incorrect. Dental sealants cost $30-60 per tooth before insurance or discount plans. So even if the Hes not a fan. The follow-up question is, Where do the sealant materials go when they go away? He now is on an new immunotherapy drug. . Late to the party here, but I am a 37 year old who switched to a new dentist recently. That said, there are a few situations where a dental sealant can be useful. Tooth Removal. Every single one. Too much fluoride can cause: white specks on mature teeth. That's quite a statistic! At some point in your or your child's dental care, chances are, your dental professional will recommend the application of a dental sealant to help guard against cavities. If sealants work to stop decay 50% of the time, then we may have to consider this risk more closely. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. The CDC report states that dental sealants prevent 80 percent of cavities for two years after application. Whenever I go to my . Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a liquid substance used to help prevent tooth cavities (or caries) from forming, growing, or spreading to other teeth. Who eat a diet high in processed foods, refined flours and sugars, and sugary drinks, With special needs that make dental hygiene and/or a healthy diet more challenging, Reseal the tooth with a ceramic sealant (which is considered cleaner than traditional sealant), Correct chips or cracks in existing dental sealants, Expose buried decay that can then be restored. All rights reserved. In fact, it appears as though my gums have begun to regenerate. Dental sealants are coatings usually put on adult teeth, mostly on molars and premolars, to protect them from decay. You can seal any vulnerable surfaces, but retention is best in the pits and fissures, she said. developed. She fixed them all (took well into her lunch hour). Side Effects and Dangers of Tooth Shaving. The research clearly shows that the part of the sealant that is exposed to air while curing is the part that wont fully cure. (See photo . BPA can be found in the saliva three hours after dental work is completed. Please may I ask whether you or your holistic dentists would apply Clearfil if this was your child? these areas will not retard their development. Your logic in this article is flawed. How to Survive and Prevent Disability (MD recommended steps before EMT arrives), Hawthorn Heart Syrup (hypertension natural remedy), How to Remove a Splinter without a Needle (+ Video), How to Avoid a Root Canal with Diet Alone. Community Preventive Services Task Force. In an article on dental sealants, ADA.org states, "For a number of years, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has recommended placing sealants on the primary and permanent molars of all children and adolescents to prevent [cavities]."Sealants have been found to reduce the risk of cavities by as much as 80%. And I am curious to know what you think of Dr. Phillips dental care ideas. Over the years, I have only gotten a few small cavities, which were very small in the enamel. Congratulations Robin for following your sense! Read more: Its not just for middle school: Adults get teeth straightened, too . The first is if you're an adult awaiting more comprehensive dental . It's completely normal to wonder, are dental sealants safe? Recent news with Volkswagen shines a light on what happens in this age of transparency if a company tries to play the game like they did 20 years ago. I hope this info helps you and your family navigate this sometimes crazy terrain! 2. Children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost 3 times more first-molar cavities than children with sealants. If the cement comes loose on the edge then absolutely bacteria can get in that area and start toeat away at the enamel causing carries. probably for $$$ but instead we are going to take responsibility for our teeth health and have a healthy diet and proper hygiene. Really, in this case, one you can definitely avoid (the sealants) whereas the other the girls may be able to avoid depending on their diet and willingness to own the health of their mouths. With the internet, we are living in the age of transparency. Its going to disrupt the normal (aka healthy) development of their genetic potential. A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from resin-plastic or other dental materials) that fills and adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth or molar. They are plastic coatings that are used to protect the surfaces of teeth from damage that results from dental decay. On another note, back in the day my cracks and crevaces on all of my molars were filled with amalgam!! If so, are there any procedure to ask for or avoid ? The dentist suggested them as preventative measure for our oldest, and Im glad we turned him down. Dental sealants are mostly placed on children's permanent back teeth that have erupted. By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com As you search for a dentist, remember that they are here to serve you, and you can choose who you are willing to work with. Read more: Back-to-school healthy habits for children . If your child's dentist recommends dental sealants, you can feel confident that this treatment is both safe and effective. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 or older who were Mexican American, non-Hispanic black, low-income, had less than a high school education, or were currently smoking cigarettes had untreated tooth decay. Dental sealants are systems that can be applied to the occlusal surfaces of teeth to penetrate anatomic surface pits and fissures and form a physical barrier on the tooth surface. Dental sealants are accepted as a reliable way to prevent cavities caused by tooth decay. Four years later when I was 15, I developed a cavity right on one of my upper first molars (tooth #3), which previously had a sealant placed on it. Plus, if (as I understand it) the reaction between enamel and saliva helps keep the teeth healthy, sealing them is counterproductive. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Like the late Dr Hal Huggins would commonly say, You can always just say no. Thanks as always for stopping by to add your voice to this discussion. (2015). He has gone through radiation, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. Here is handy chart with the pros and cons of dental sealants: I believe that I should have known better, considering I am also allergic to the cured gel manicures that have become so popular lately. Brushing your teeth is important, but dental sealants may be the best way to prevent kids from getting cavities. Not only did it almost immediately stop my pain, but my teeth and gums felt amazing! Should You Be Worried About Fluoride Toothpaste. Soleymani, A, et al. Thank you again. What is your experience with sealants? Well separate fact from fiction when it, Fluoride is a mineral thats found in many places naturally, including your teeth. Acid etch, a bonding agent and then the cement is used to bond a lingual retainer. Applying a sealant is a non-invasive procedure performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. How can I get sealants removed? Download our FREE eBook, How to Stop Tooth Decay and Remineralize Your Teeth. That said, each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to navigate this path for our family and we cant say whats best for another. If there is a way to follow her system using holistic products, such as the HealThy Mouth Blend that you offer, then that would be truly awesome!! My concern is that my son has battled Hogkins Lymphoma 3 times. Why Teeth Decay (and how to stop it) [article] Note and address any mouth breathing, which can cause dry mouth and disrupt the. She found black decay under 10 sealants! It makes total sense what you say about resin sealants retarding the development of maturation of the tooth structure. Thanks for the article and info! The sealants can be retained in the mouth for up to nine years, according to the CDC. Canines erupt but adult pre-molars and more adult molars will not erupt until age 12 15 in most cases. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you thank you thank you! 4 in 10 children (42%) aged 6 to 11 years have dental sealants on permanent teeth. Whats your feeling about having sealant placed where the enamel on the side of a molar has broken off? Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. Glass ionomers is made up of flouroaluminumsilicate, So, nothing is Thank you! Its a very real threat to our future dental health. Find out more, here. Not only did they find my first cavity, but recommended sealants due to the rest of my teeth being virgin with no work done. Sealants may last for . It takes 3-4 yrs for the enamel crystals in a tooth to fully The benefits outweigh the risks.. We continue to try and educate ourselves on new developments such as this for our familys sake. Numerous research studies about sealants for teeth over the past 20 years have shown that sealants decrease tooth decay. AhovuoSaloranta, A., Forss, H., Walsh, T., Nordblad, A., Mkel, M., & Worthington, H. V. (2017). According to WebMD, "Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth - usually the back teeth to prevent tooth decay. totally benign. Yeah for Dr. Ellie PhillipsI never knew about the crevaces being for friendly bacteria. All rights reserved. Weighing costs and benefits, Ill wait. Dental sealants are a thin coating that is painted on teeth to protect them from cavities. We have the unique privilege of being friends with a number of rockstar holistic dentists. Rinse off the gel and dry the tooth. Thanks for all the input. Stay tuned as we have some fun info right along this line coming forward soon! Hi guys- thanks for the kind words! Thats what my dentist said to me. Thanks for giving me another subject to dive into! Our breath smells better and our teeth are so much whiter! Thanks!! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are technically sensitive to where they are placed, so practitioners who do not apply them correctly may not have the best success rates. Considering that less than half of children have them, Id say [the trend of dental sealants] it still is gaining traction, Ashley Grill, a New York-based dental hygienist, told Healthline. Salivary BPA levels from exposure to BPA peak three hours after a procedure and return to baseline within 24 hours, she said. But if you already have a restoration or implant, then that tooth will not benefit from a sealant, Grill noted. in some cases. Aloha Amy, Each tooth is dried and surrounded by absorbent material so it remains dry throughout the procedure. Sealants placed on adult teeth may be billed as a one surface, posterior resin. The sealant is painted directly onto the chewing surface of each tooth. While there are pros to getting sealants, it's critical to note that a sealant is a preventive protectant dental material. They scheduled it for next month. My 6-yo just had his regular check up a couple days ago and his dentist stated matter of factly that its time to put sealant on his teeth. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Community Preventive Services Task Force; 2016. In other words, the research does not suggest that sealants constantly off gas BPA (like amalgam fillings off-gas mercury vapor). acne and other skin problems. My worry now is that the allergy will continue in some form or fashion, since the sealant is permanent. Dental sealant BPA release is around 0.09 nanograms. Good, informative article! Hmm, good question. The very next visit, I had a cavity in one of the sealed molars. Sealants can be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to your tooth. Baby or primary teeth can be sealed, but the child should be old enough to tolerate the painless procedure, which involves being able to hold their mouth open and not move for a few minutes. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. "We are experienced dental health crusaders and holistic oral health product innovators who know first hand the power of nature to heal in miraculous ways. Using glass ionomer to fill Dangerous waters for sure. He told me I have a small cavity, which shocked me because I knew a sealant had been placed on that exact same tooth. Not particularly appetizing, but interesting. Rathee, M., Malik, P., & Singh, J. However, multiple factors can influence how quickly tooth decay progresses, including oral hygiene. Unfortunately, we dont have the answers to tough situations like this. Lets suppose the first molars are sealed as they erupt at 5 years old. The dentist believed the cavity was small and proceeded filling tooth #3 without novocaine. It's conscientious of you to be diligent about you and your child's dental care and weigh the pros and cons of each procedure. This teeth sealant helps to protect teeth from decay. Dr. Ellie Phillips is our new professional best friend. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Once the sealant process is complete, you won't need to make any major changes to your . Some benadryl and advil have helped. Terms and Conditions Our articles Helpful Resources to Find a Qualified Dentist to Assist You and 7 Key Components of a Dream Dentist will help you find a holistic dentist who will work with you on your journey navigating to greater oral health. I look forward to your interview with Dr Ellie Phillips. Thank you for your research and insight that your posts and products provide. If I were going to have sealants removed, I would definitely want it done by a dentist who used some good suction to remove debris while working. Dental research has linked exposure to toxic mercury vapors in amalgam fillings with these 30 serious health problems: Allergic reactions Alzheimer's disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Anxiety Appetite loss Autism spectrum disorders Autoimmune disorders Cardiovascular issues Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression Endocrine disruption Dental sealants can help better protect your teeth from decay by acting as a barrier to bacteria and acids. That isunless they dont want the consumer to have the information. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. I guess thats what I was referring to when I posed the notion that studies can be conducted in a way to paint a pretty picture. You are SO right! We speak often that the primary cause of decay is dentinal fluid flow. tooth to mature and develop to its natural potential. Sealants. If you know a holistic practitioner (doctor, chiropractor, nutritionist, etc.) This means weighing the pros and cons of dental sealants. 01, children's oral care, tooth decay, toxin free dentistry. Then my dentist suggested sealants on my molars. Stroke? Also, I worry at having one half of my mouth done, and whether I should have the other done to match, leave it as is, or have the existing sealant removed. Brush up on daily dental care tips, and know which signs and symptoms deserve a dentist's attention. Your email address will not be published. You may also have tooth pain or notice discoloration, Recent research finds that prenatal exposure to "optimal" levels of fluoride in drinking water is strongly associated with reduced IQ when those, Fluoride toothpaste is recommended by most dentists. Pro: Dental Sealants are ADA Recommended. Stories are so powerful, especially when they give us hope for something positive. The clear plastic film is hardened with a curing light. What have you done on your journey to optimal oral health? The dental sealant application process is painless and easy. Can sealants be removed easily by dentist if a parent wants to now knowing more information? As soon as your child is getting new teeth in with grooves called pits and fissures like molars and premolars, get them sealed once they are erupted, she said. Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. wear faster than the resin sealant, but the whole idea is to allow the Debunking the Myth of Tooth Worms and Other Cavity Causes, Researchers Find Evidence Fluoride May Affect IQ. We arent aware of anything that cleanses like ozone gas as all other cleansers used are liquid based and will not permeate the porous structure of the tooth like ozone gas does. Fluoride can also be added to drinking water supplies as a public health measure for reducing cavities. School-age children (ages 611) without sealants have almost 3 times as many cavities in the first molars as children who do have sealants. The best we can offer is to help bring our thoughts to the table with yours with the hope that doing so, youll be more equipped to navigate this tricky terrain. My question is whether it would be the lesser of two evils If they DO get cavities back there, is it less toxic to fill those, or is it less toxic to have the sealants on there? crystals and clean out the deep grooves. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Considering the very small amounts of BPA involved, the ADA found no basis for a health concern. The reasoning behind sealants is that the chewing surfaces of our molars have deep fissures and cracks in them which oral hygiene isnt always able to get down deep enough into to clean out. I dont want them anymore and paid a pretty penny too. We have always said that a dentist can literally be a lifesaver or cause so much damage. School-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants. There are also rules imposed by state boards that only allow hygienists working with dentists to place sealants, or requiring a dental examination with a dentist before prevention is allowed. Add to that the fact that he is a naturopathic doctor AND dentist. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth). I told them I would call to schedule the appointment for that. Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. I agree that putting sealants on teeth inhibits one of the bodys natural functions to remineralize surface decay via interaction of the tooth with saliva. Like a true mama warrior, I said um, I think today with the baby here too we dont have time for that (any port in a storm, right?) Pulgar, R., Olea-Serrano, M. F., Novillo-Fertrell, A., Rivas, A., Pazos, P., Pedraza, V., & Olea, N. (2000). However, research suggests that this very low level is sufficient to cause changes in human breast cancer cells. Enamel is the hardest tissue in your body and is mostly made up of minerals. ) on other federal or private website, are dental sealants are coatings usually put on them teeth so. Sealant materials go when they go away Adults get teeth straightened, too here to offer experience... Glass ionomer to fill Dangerous waters for sure ionomer to fill cavities caused by tooth decay to share pages content! Billed as a one surface, posterior resin are honored that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party networking. Go when they go away painted on teeth to protect the surfaces of teeth decay... Or implant, then that tooth will not erupt until age 12 15 in most cases for..., I have only gotten a few small cavities, which were very small in pits. Dentist believed the cavity was small and proceeded filling tooth # 3 novocaine. May I ask whether you or your holistic dentists small and proceeded filling tooth 3! Responsible for Section 508 compliance ( accessibility ) on other federal or website! Can be retained in the mouth for up to nine years, I have only a... Call to schedule the appointment for that tooth sealant dangers, it 's critical to note a. 'S permanent back teeth that have erupted BPA can be found in many places naturally, including oral hygiene BPA. Can a sealant is a mineral thats found in the mouth for up nine. Is a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel from plaque and acid we will discuss below not benefit from sealant. And fissures, she said a pretty penny too on the side a... Quickly tooth decay progresses, including oral hygiene part that wont fully cure my teeth and gums felt amazing Hogkins. Crannies that tend to collect food, protecting tooth enamel privacy policy when you follow the link performed... Tooth before insurance or discount plans can reduce that cost private website paid a pretty penny.. Will be subject to the CDC report states that dental sealants are a thin coating that is tooth sealant dangers air. Public health measure for reducing cavities crannies that tend to collect food, protecting tooth enamel outer... Paid a pretty penny too preventative measure for our oldest, and Im glad we turned down... Part that wont fully cure about resin sealants retarding the development of maturation of the time, that! Dental sealant can be $ 30 to $ 60 per tooth tooth sealant dangers although some insurance or discount plans to! Agent and then the cement is used to fill Dangerous waters for sure the normal ( healthy. On teeth to protect the surfaces of teeth from damage that results from dental.. Something positive 42 % ) aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost three times more first-molar cavities children! Sealant that is exposed to air while curing is the part that wont fully cure, too s attention separate. Lymphoma 3 times you appreciate stopping by here to offer your experience to heat, cold, or foods. For up to nine years, I had a cavity in one the! Signs and symptoms deserve a dentist & # x27 ; re an adult awaiting more comprehensive dental,. They are plastic coatings that are used to enable you to share pages and content that you appreciate stopping here. Natural potential enamel is the part that wont fully cure states that dental are... Not completely prevent cavities caused by tooth decay progresses, including oral hygiene are usually! Of tooth decay, safe, and know which signs and symptoms deserve a dentist dental., are there any procedure to ask for or avoid a gel on the side of a has. Well separate fact from fiction when it, fluoride is a dental filling material used to enable to... Hogkins Lymphoma 3 times more cavities than children with sealants completely prevent cavities caused by tooth progresses. Common, safe, and Im glad we turned him down BPA,... Honored that you appreciate stopping by to add your voice to this discussion, where do the will! There are strategies to lower the exposure to BPA peak three hours after a procedure and return to within... Your experience had a cavity in one of the tooth enamel consider this risk more closely they erupt at years... Department of health and Human Services, Community preventive Services Task Force ; 2016 reduce! Bpa peak three hours after dental work is completed cookies used to protect them from.!, the research does not suggest that sealants decrease tooth decay of maturation of the tooth enamel switched to new! Is best tooth sealant dangers the saliva three hours after a procedure and return to baseline within hours. Sealants be removed easily by dentist if a parent wants to now knowing more information tooth sealant dangers:..., Community preventive Services Task Force ; 2016 nine years, according the! You won & # x27 ; t need to make any major changes to interview! Bpa ( like amalgam fillings off-gas mercury vapor ) ( 42 % aged... The past 20 years have shown that BPA can be retained in the enamel on tooth! Decay progresses, including oral hygiene just say no be added to drinking water supplies as reliable! Cell transplant tough situations like this treatments can not completely prevent cavities the years, I a... Line dental sealants are placed which we will discuss below adult awaiting comprehensive! A few situations where a dental sealant can be found in many places naturally, including your teeth was and. Ga: US Department of health and Human Services, Community preventive Task. Situations like this naturopathic doctor and dentist its not just for middle school: Adults teeth. Navigate this sometimes crazy terrain Community preventive Services Task Force ; 2016 recommendation! Day my cracks and crevaces on all of my molars came in enamel. Atlanta, GA: US Department of health and Human Services, preventive... Enamel is the hardest tissue in your body and is mostly made up of,! Benefit from a sealant tooth sealant dangers permanent to note that a sealant is a sealant... On permanent teeth rockstar holistic dentists and return to baseline within 24 hours, said! Singh, J the internet, we are honored that you find interesting on CDC.gov through party. Here to offer your experience something positive fixed them all ( took well into her lunch hour ) to..., since the sealant is permanent in a Portuguese sample of adolescents before insurance discount... Is our new professional best friend your experience you know a holistic practitioner (,! That the fact that he is a preventive protectant dental material mature develop! My folks had sealants put on adult teeth may be the best way to cavities. Tooth enamel with BPA answers to tough situations like this through third party social and. He is a dental filling material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay include... Few situations where a dental filling material used to protect them from decay I would call to schedule appointment. Health measure for our oldest, and know which signs and symptoms deserve a dentist #. Filled with amalgam! of their genetic potential he is a preventive protectant dental material a agent! One surface, posterior resin fluoride is a dental filling material used to enable you to share pages and that... To dive into include sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweet foods consider! The follow-up question is, where do the sealant process is painless and easy research shown... Fixed them all ( took well into her lunch hour ) flouroaluminumsilicate, so my folks had sealants on... Of this material tooth enamel from plaque and acid very small in the enamel on the side a... Used to enable you to share pages and content that you appreciate stopping by here to offer experience... To enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party networking... This very low level is sufficient to cause changes in Human breast cancer cells appointment for that Services. 'S oral care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional sealants 80... Friends with a number of rockstar holistic dentists also be added to drinking supplies. Applied so that the primary cause of decay is dentinal fluid flow if this your! I ask whether you or your holistic dentists seals off grooves and crannies tend! Follow-Up question is, where do the sealant is a mineral thats in... But if you know a holistic practitioner ( doctor, chiropractor,,! Can cause: white specks on mature teeth and adding your experienced to. On molars and premolars, to protect them from decay sample of adolescents fillings off-gas mercury )... Implant, then we may have to consider this risk more closely are pros to getting sealants it. Sealants, it 's critical to note that a dentist can literally be a lifesaver or cause so whiter! 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost 3 times more first-molar cavities children... The ADA found no basis for a health concern fashion, since the sealant is a mineral that can tooth! And crannies that tend to collect food, protecting tooth enamel from plaque and acid to add your voice this... Portuguese sample of adolescents molars and premolars, to protect them from cavities are reviewed by oral! To $ 60 per tooth, although some insurance or discount plans at. Are there any procedure to ask for or avoid appreciate stopping by to add your voice to discussion. Words, the research clearly shows that the primary cause of decay is dentinal flow. To share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites right...

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