Fissure Sealants
Fissure Sealants
The grooves (fissures) and pits on the biting surfaces of children's teeth can be particularly at risk from dental decay. A fissure sealant is a plastic coating which, when applied to these grooves and pits, can protect them from decay.
What are fissure sealants?
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your children’s teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth that is brushed onto the chewing surfaces of teeth to ‘seal them off from the plaque and bacteria that cause cavities to form.
Typically, sealants are applied to the molars, because it is these teeth that do the most chewing and have deep crevices in which bacteria can hide. The sealant will fill in and cover any crevices on the tooth to act as a shield from the bacteria.
The process is usually quick and straightforward taking only a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining an ultraviolet light onto it.
if you would like to know more about the treatment, ask your dentist or hygienist.
Your fissure sealant treatment
The process is usually quick and straightforward taking only a few minutes per tooth
The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried
The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining an ultraviolet light onto it
To avoid decay, regular cleaning using fluoride toothpaste is essential; so too is a sensible diet, avoiding sugary snacks and drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is totally pain free, and the teeth do not feel any different afterwards.
Sealants usually last for many years, regular dental check-ups will make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes the dentist needs to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath them.
Sealants usually last for many years, regular dental check-ups will make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes the dentist needs to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath them.
Sealants are often applied as soon as the permanent teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 and 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 14 years of age.