What are fissure sealants?
The biting surfaces of the back teeth naturally have tiny deep pits and grooves called fissures. The fissures are so small that not even a toothbrush bristle can reach and clean it when you brush your teeth. Decay which eventuate as holes in the teeth may form when plaque or bacteria get trapped in these deep grooves. A preventive option to protect your teeth from decay and plaque is by sealing up these deep grooves with a coating known as a fissure sealant. A fissure sealant is a tooth coloured liquid-like substance which turns into a hard resin coating that bonds into the grooves of the teeth, therefore, protecting your teeth from decay.
Procedure for fissure sealants
The whole procedure to have a fissure sealant applied to your tooth is quick and painless.
•We make sure that there is no decay or plaque in the tooth.
•It is important to keep the area dry and away from your saliva when applying the fissure sealant. The sealant might not bond properly if the tooth gets wet.
•The fissure sealant is painted onto the biting surface of your back tooth filling the grooves and pits.
•Then the sealant is hardened by using a special kind of light that “cures” the sealant, therefore sealing up these deep grooves and pits. Once it hardens, the tooth is ready for use.
Who needs fissure sealants?
At DentArtisans we believe that the best time to have fissure sealants done is when the adult permanent molar teeth first emerge into the mouth. Usually for children, the first permanent molar tooth pops out at around the age of six. It is recommended to seal these new teeth, as soon as they come out, with a fissure sealant so that it provides a protective coating to prevent decay from forming in them.
To schedule in appointment for your fissure sealants with Dr. Linda Quach, Dr. Max Guazzato, Dr. Andrew See or Dr. Jacob Smith call us on 9518 7832
