All about Dental Pits and Fissure Sealants

dental pit and fissure sealants

All about Dental Pits and Fissure Sealants

July 15, 2021 6:49 pm Published by

Some teeth have small hollows and grooves in them. These are completely natural, but they do have the unfortunate tendency to harbour problem-causing bacteria and are harder to clean. For this reason, particularly for teenagers when adult teeth are still coming through, sealants may help in the fight against tooth decay.

What is a sealant?

A dental pit and fissure sealant is a very thin plastic coating that protects the tooth from decay, acting as a barrier between plaque and bacteria. While sealants won’t fix any decay that is already there, they can be very effective in stopping tooth decay from happening. Sealants are also very cost-effective, especially when compared to corrective work that may
need to be performed later.

Which teeth can be sealed in this way?

Dental pit and fissure sealants are most often applied to the back teeth, where the pits most commonly occur, and where most tooth decay in children takes place. Your pediatric dentist in Dubai will be able to advise if sealants are right for you or your child, as they don’t suit everyone.

Sometimes fissures or pits are only shallow, in which case sealants might not be needed.

How are sealants applied?

There’s no pain – the teeth are cleaned, a solution is applied and air-dried, and then the sealant solution is painted on and hardened with a special light. That’s it! Every tooth takes a few minutes to complete, from start to finish. The sealant is clear or white, and can’t be seen from the front, so your child won’t be aware of them or feel self-conscious.

How long do sealants last?

The sealants will wear over the years, so they may need to be replaced by your pediatric dentist in Dubai later – but here’s no other special care, other than the usual daily dental hygiene routine you have at home.

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