Fissure Sealants

Fissure sealants are a dental treatment intended to prevent tooth decay.

What is the Purpose of Fissure Sealants?

Dental sealants (also termed pit and fissure sealants, or simply fissure sealants) are a dental treatment intended to prevent tooth decay. Teeth have recesses on their biting surfaces; the back teeth have fissures (grooves) and some front teeth have cingulum pits. It is these pits and fissures which are most vulnerable to tooth decay because food and bacteria stick in them and they are hard to clean areas. These sealants are materials placed in these pits and fissures to fill them in, creating a smooth surface which is easy to clean. Dental sealants are mainly used in children who are at higher risk of tooth decay, and are usually placed as soon as the adult molar teeth come through.

How long does Fissure Sealants last?

Sealants can last up to 10 years but they can easily wear off. They need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist or the dental hygienist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material.

Are Fissure Sealants necessary?

Which kids need fissure sealants? Not all children require it. As a general rule, they’re recommended for filling the molars of kids with a high risk of tooth decay, such as those who have already had a couple of dental cavities filled and those who lack fluoride in their drinking water. Sealants should be placed on first and second permanent molars.

Fissure sealants are a preventive treatment that is part of the minimal intervention dentistry approach to dental care. These sealants are a plastic material placed in the pits and fissures (the recesses on the chewing surfaces) of primary (baby) or permanent (adult) molar and premolar teeth at the back of the mouth. These molar teeth are considered the most susceptible teeth to dental caries due to the anatomy of the chewing surfaces of these teeth, which inhibits protection from saliva and fluoride and instead favours plaque accumulation. This approach facilitates prevention and early intervention, in order to prevent or stop the dental caries process before it reaches the ends stage of the disease, which is also known as the “hole” or cavitation of a tooth. Once the tooth is cavitated, it requires a dental restoration in order to repair the damage, which emphasizes the importance of prevention in preserving teeth for a lifetime of chewing.

Placing a fissure sealant is a painless procedure as there is no cutting away of tooth tissue hence no drilling.