All you need to know about fissure sealants
Maintaining your oral health and preventing dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss requires regular visits to the dentist. Depending on your dental needs, you may require various dental treatments throughout the years. To make informed decisions about your dental health, it’s crucial to understand the different treatment options and techniques available to you at your local South Brisbane dentist.
To help you, we sat down with Dr Jodi McKeough, one of the Principal Dentists at The Practice to discuss one common procedure, dental fissure sealants. Here’s what Dr McKeough had to say.
What are dental fissure sealants?
Dental fissure sealants are a common dental treatment. It’s a simple, painless way to protect teeth from tooth decay. It’s a thin plastic resin coating applied to the surface of back teeth, generally molars and premolars, as they are more susceptible to tooth decay. Food and bacteria can get trapped in their deep grooves and fissures.
The plastic resin sealant is applied as a liquid that hardens to create a protective coating on the tooth surface, stopping food and bacteria from being trapped and preventing tooth decay.
What are the most significant benefits of dental fissure sealants?
The smooth surface of the fissure sealant makes it easier to clean your teeth because food and bacteria no longer get stuck in the grooves. Many people find it more difficult to brush the molars at the back of the mouth, so the sealant is excellent for helping you maintain great oral hygiene, even for those hard-to-reach teeth.
How are dental fissure sealants applied?
Has your dentist recommended dental fissure sealants, but you don’t know what to expect? Don’t worry; it’s a common and painless procedure.
Firstly, your dentist will clean and dry the teeth which need to be sealed. Then an acidic solution will be applied to the top of the teeth to create a rough surface. This will help create a stronger bond between the tooth and the sealant.
After rinsing and drying the teeth, the sealant is applied with a small brush. A curing light hardens the seal and bonds it to the tooth surface.
Why are dental fissure sealants so helpful?
Dental fissure sealants play a critical role in preventative dental care. They help prevent tooth decay and cavities. The deep grooves in your back teeth make them more prone to decay even with regular brushing and flossing.
Dental fissure sealants are great for children and teenagers because their teeth are still developing. However, adults are also good candidates for sealants.
Are fissure sealants expensive?
Compared to many other dental procedures, fissure sealants are a cost-effective option. It’s also a great way to prevent further, more invasive dental treatments such as fillings, crowns and root canals, saving you money in the long term.
How long do fissure sealants last?
Generally, fissure sealants last up to 10 years. However, this depends on your oral hygiene routine and the condition of the tooth being sealed. At our West End dental practice, our dentists will closely monitor the condition of your fissure sealants when you visit us for your six-monthly checkup. If the sealant is damaged or wears down, it can be replaced with a new one.
Dental fissure sealants at The Practice
Dental fissure sealants are an effective and affordable way to protect your back teeth from tooth decay and are essential to preventative dental care. Our dentists have years of experience sealing molars and premolars and will create a smooth surface that is easy to clean for years to come.
If you’d like to book an appointment at The Practice to learn more about fissure sealants,, call 07 3733 3223 or book an appointment online.
