Fissure Sealants for Teeth
What are fissure sealants?
Fissure sealants are a treatment where a thin, protective coating is applied over the surfaces of your child’s back teeth (also known as molars). This coating completely covers the grooves and pits on the molars providing extra protection from decay.
The best part? Getting fissure sealants is a quick, straightforward procedure that doesn’t require local anaesthesia. So, if you’re looking for both an effective and minimally invasive way to reduce the risk of tooth decay in your child, fissure sealants are one of the best preventative solutions you can invest in!
Do you want to protect your child’s teeth and reduce their risk of dental issues as they blossom into adults? Keep your children’s teeth healthier and safe using great preventative measures like fissure sealants.
Protect your child from tooth decay with fissure sealants
Should kids get fissure sealants?
Absolutely! We understand that getting your child to maintain a good oral hygiene routine can be a real challenge. Did you know that about 40% of kids have at least one decayed tooth by the age of six? Poor oral hygiene, consumption of acidic foods & drinks and lack of fluoride are some of the main reasons for this. Tooth decay in children can cause pain, severe infections and eventually tooth loss if neglected in the early stages.
With fissure sealants, you can protect your child’s smile and help reduce the risk of cavities and other dental problems. At Wyndham Dental, our experienced Werribee dentists specialise in fissure sealants and will make sure your child’s teeth are thoroughly protected. The effectiveness of fissure sealants can last for up to 4 years against 50% of cavities! We may even recommend sealants if there is already existing tooth decay to limit future decay.
Who can benefit from fissure sealants?
Fissure sealants can benefit a wide range of individuals, but they are particularly beneficial for the following groups:
Children and Teenagers
Fissure sealants are commonly applied to the newly erupted permanent molars and premolars in children and teenagers. This age group is often more vulnerable to cavities, making sealants an excellent preventive measure.
Adults with Deep Grooves
Some adults have deep grooves and pits in their molars that can be challenging to clean thoroughly. Fissure sealants can help protect these teeth from decay, regardless of age.
Anyone Looking to Prevent Cavities
Essentially, anyone interested in preventing cavities can benefit from fissure sealants. They are a safe and effective way to guard against tooth decay, especially in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.
The benefits of fissure sealants
Keeping your child on track to a healthy, beautiful smile can be tricky, but here’s how fissure sealants can help.
- Sealant effectively fills in the grooves on the surface of your child’s teeth, preventing any food particles from getting stuck and causing cavities.
- It’s a quick and easy procedure that doesn’t require local anaesthesia. Your child will be able to return to their normal activities immediately after.
- Fissure sealants are an affordable and less costly treatment than other dental solutions like fillings. Since they last for several years, they make for a cost-effective & long-term investment.
- The material used in fissure sealants is FDA approved. It is also a non-invasive procedure, making it quite safe for your kids.
- While usually applied to children, fissure sealant may also prove helpful for adults with deep grooves/pits or those at high risk of dental decay.
How are fissure sealants applied?
The fissure sealant procedure is quite straightforward and won’t take more than a couple of minutes to be applied on to each tooth. Here’s how it will work at Wyndham Dental:
- Our dentist will clean and dry the tooth
- The surface will be prepared so the sealant will bond well
- Liquid sealant will be applied, after which it will flow into the grooves and pits of the tooth
- The sealant will be hardened using a strong light
- Any excess sealant will be polished off
- Your protective layer is now in place!
Do fissure sealants completely prevent cavities?
Fissure sealants provide excellent protection against cavities, especially in the grooves and pits of molars and premolars. However, they may not completely prevent cavities under all circumstances. While sealants create a strong barrier, it’s still possible for bacteria and food particles to find their way into tiny spaces over time.
That’s why maintaining good oral hygiene practices is essential. These practices, combined with sealants, offer the best defence against cavities. So, while sealants are highly effective, they work even better when teamed up with proper oral care!
How long do dental sealants last on teeth?
Sealants could last for as long as 5 to 10 years on teeth! Another advantage of fissure sealants is that they don’t require any special maintenance or after-care. You simply have to clean your teeth routinely and schedule a checkup every 6 months with our dentist. It’s not uncommon for the sealant to fall off earlier than expected, however. This is why we recommend checking in with our dentist for regular checkups to make sure the sealant is in good condition. As it wears down over the years, it will eventually need to be reapplied.
Are you ready to take that extra step when it comes to maintaining your child’s oral health? Call our friendly team today to see if fissure sealants are a good fit!