Fissure Sealants

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre, Sutton your dentist may advise fissure sealants to help prevent tooth decay. Fissure sealants are most commonly placed on first permanent molars which erupt between the ages of 6-7 years old. In Ireland, 80% of decay is located on the biting surfaces of teeth which sealants can help prevent.

A fissure sealant is a varnish layer which is placed on the biting surface of at risk teeth. This varnish flows into the fissures and creates a shallower and smoother biting surface which is lower risk for experiencing food impaction or a plaque build up.

Sometimes your dentist in Smile Hub Dental Clinic may recommend placing a fissure sealant on a tooth that has already begun to decay as this varnish will prevent further spread of the tooth decay.

Fissure sealants need to be checked by your dentist in Smile Hub Dental Clinic at 6 monthly intervals as they’re only effective when they’re intact. Fissure sealants can be dislodged by sticky foods so re-application will be necessary by your dentist who is monitoring them freqently.

Is fissure sealing necessary?

Fissure sealants are a great treatment option for prevention of cavities in children but they are not necessary for every child. One of our expert dentists here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic will go through if and why your child might be a good candidate for fissure seals. Some examples of why fissure sealants are placed are to prevent cavities in children with a history of decay that might have a high risk chance of getting cavities or the molars have deep ridges where food can get trapped and cause decay.

How long does a fissure sealant take?

Fissure sealants are a quick and easy treatment that will only take a few minutes to complete but it depends on the age and cooperation of the child, as the tooth being sealed must be kept dry so the child must be able to try keep open for a few seconds.

How is fissure sealant done?

Fissure sealants are a completely pain free procedure and require no anaesthetic to be completed. The tooth is polished, washed and dried with air before an etching gel is placed on the tooth for a few seconds. This is then washed and the tooth is dried again. The dentist will then apply the sealant which is then cured or set with an ultraviolet light. The same procedure will be repeated on all teeth that need to be sealed.