Fissure Sealants

Protect your teeth against decay

Deep pits and grooves can be found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Such pits and grooves are termed ‘fissures’ and are usually so narrow that toothbrush bristles and streams of water are not able to clean them effectively. These form a favourable environment for bacteria to flourish, often resulting in tooth decay. We can help with protective fissure sealants, able to prevent early decay.

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What are fissure sealants?

Fissure sealants are special materials used by dentists to seal off pits and fissures from the oral environment. Sealing the tooth surface protects the fissures in your tooth from bacteria and fermentable foods like sugar and starches. This prevents decay from starting deep within the fissures and improves your overall oral health.

Any tooth with pits and fissures can be treated, provided the surface to be filled is sound and has not been previously filled. The most commonly treated teeth are the molars and premolars.

How are sealants applied?

Sealants are applied easily and painlessly, with no drilling required. We begin by polishing the tooth, removing plaque and food debris from the fissure surfaces.

We then etch the surface of the tooth with a special solution to prepare it. We rinse the solution and dry your tooth before carefully applying the sealant.

We use a curing light to harden the sealant, allowing it to bond quickly with the surface of your tooth, forming a tough coating.

Frequently asked questions

: Dental fissure sealants are a protective layer that is applied to the fissures in your teeth to prevent tooth decay. They are more commonly applied to your molars (the chewing teeth at the back of your mouth).
: Sealants are most effective when applied after the eruption of the tooth. Early application ensures pits and fissures are sealed before the decay process begins.
: The main benefit of having fissure sealants is to prevent cavities from forming. Although they do wear out over time, they are an inexpensive and pain-free dental treatment to prevent tooth decay.
: Fissure sealants generally last for around 3-5 years and help prevent cavities from forming.
: Many studies show sealants to be very effective in preventing decay in fissures. They do, however, require regular maintenance by your dentist. This can be performed with your six-monthly check-up. Recent studies show that a properly placed sealant will last as long as a typical amalgam filling.
: Even if a sealant is damaged or lost, it is easily repaired and replaced. Regular maintenance by your dentist will help them last. This can be done at your six-monthly check-up.

Fissure Sealants

Protect your teeth against decay

What are fissure sealants?

How are sealants applied?

Frequently asked questions

Getting in touch

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