Fissure-Sealants

Fissure Sealants

Quite often the molar teeth (the large ones at the back of the mouth) have very deep grooves in the biting surface. The plaque that causes tooth decay gets trapped in these deep fissures (grooves), and this is where decay can first start.

Fissure sealant is a special plastic coating, which is painted into the grooves when the tooth first comes through. Once they are sealed, there is nowhere for the plaque to get caught.

Fissure sealing is a simple and painless procedure, needing no injections, or drilling. The teeth are first cleaned and dried, then painted with the sealant. This is then set hard by shining a special blue light onto the surface of the tooth.

More about Fissure Sealants

Once the sealant is set, there are no more deep fissures (grooves) for plaque to get caught in, the tooth is perfectly smooth and easy to clean.

Your dentist will recommend which of your child’s teeth would benefit from fissure sealants. This depends upon the shape of the teeth, and the surface pattern of grooves, as well as other things which your dentist bears in mind.