Fissure Sealants

Whether you are prone to recurrent dental decay, or you wish to take precautions for your child’s new teeth, pre-emptive protection is possible with Fissure Sealants.

Our back teeth (known as the molars and pre-molars) naturally develop with deep grooves and pits on their chewing surface. Although for the vast majority of people these surfaces continue to develop as they grow until they are much more regularly shaped, during childhood these areas are very difficult to reach and keep properly clean with a toothbrush. Food - and therefore plaque - can become trapped here very easily, making the surfaces of the back teeth breeding grounds for bacteria and resulting in tooth decay. 

Tooth decay and cavities which damage and break down the teeth’s enamel surface are extremely common in these areas of the back teeth in both children and adults, because of the increased risk during this stage of growth. The prevalence of this problem led to the development of the routine, protective dental Fissure Sealant process.

Fissure Sealant is a plastic resin material that your dentist bonds into the pits and grooves of your tooth’s chewing surface. By filling in these irregularities, your tooth surface will be made much smoother and more regular and with that, far easier to keep clean; protecting your enamel from bacteria and decay, which can no longer reach the natural surface of the tooth. 

When is Fissure Sealant treatment done?

Fissure Sealants should first be applied to your child’s first permanent molars as soon as they erupt (typically at about 6 years old). This is a highly effective preventive treatment that can help to avoid the stress and pain which can come down the line, if decay is given the opportunity to set in. 

It is also advised to Fissure Seal your child’s second permanent molars when they erupt at about 12 to 14 years. In rarer cases, children who are found during their first early years dental check-ups to be at higher risk of developing dental decay, will sometimes be recommended to have their back baby teeth Fissure Sealed also. Although the teeth themselves are not permanent, it is not wise to allow plaque and bacteria to build-up over such a long period of time, as this can have consequences for the surrounding gum health. 

It is also very common for adult patients to either have their Fissure Sealants repaired during a dental check-up, or to have these placed for the first time. Even in older age Fissure Sealants are a highly effective method of reducing and offsetting persistent dental decay.

Your dentist will carry out a check of your Fissure Sealants at your check-up visit to ensure they are still present and intact. A partially intact Sealant will not provide sufficient protection, as this means it is no longer preventing plaque from reaching the organic surface of your tooth, and so your dentist may recommend replacement to renew the seal.

Benefits of Fissure Sealants

• Highly effective at reducing the risk of dental decay in both children and adults 
• Straightforward dental procedure, providing a great way to ease your child into dental treatment and put them at ease in the dental chair 
• Completely pain-free, no drilling or needles required
• Preventative treatment, unlike with dental fillings, the enamel surface of the tooth is being shielded from bacteria, whereas a filling requires drilling through the enamel to remove decay that has already taken hold, weakening the tooth
• Natural look and feel – the tooth surface will feel smoother with this practically invisible treatment
• Huge boost to the regular, successful maintenance of good oral hygiene habits and overall oral health 

What to Expect When Getting Fissure Sealants

The procedure 

The Fissure Sealant procedure is relatively straightforward, with absolutely no needles or drilling required. Your dentist will first clean the entire surface of the tooth with high-pressure air and water, including a clean down into any grooves, pits, or fissures in the surface – this improves the bond between the tooth and the sealant material, and also ensures that no bacteria or plaque are left behind under the new seal. 

The sealant resin is then carefully applied to the molar or premolar tooth, filling in the at-risk pits and grooves. A blue light is then used to harden and set the sealant. Finally, your dentist will check the patient’s bite and ensure that everything feels comfortable and normal, before you leave the clinic. Although the comfort and cooperation of younger patients is an important factor, as we are committed to ensuring that all of our early years appointments are stress and worry free, on average it takes approximately 20 minutes to Fissure Seal two teeth.

In most cases you can expect new Fissure Sealants to last for 3 to 5 years. However, it is not uncommon for some adults to still have theirs in place from childhood. As Fissure Sealants are only effective when they are fully intact, your dentist or hygienist during your routine check-up visit may recommend replacement if yours have become broken or damaged. If you notice a Fissure Sealant breaking you should attend to have it repaired.