Fissure Sealants
What is that??
Sealants are actually flowable resins/plastic material which are placed on biting surfaces of molars/back teeth,to seal up the pits and fissures of these surfaces.These sealants will bond to the grooves on the teeth and prevent food and plaque from sticking on them,and therefore preventing decay.
Fissure sealants are usually recommended for permanent molars of children from the time the molars erupt till their early teenage years.These are the crucial years where the children in this age group will be prone to decay.Generally,children in this age group are usually not very dilligent in brushing their teeth and their diet can be quite cariogenic,ie high sugar/acid diet.
This is a preventive treatment.In other words,the sealants are placed on teeth that are not yet decayed.The process is quite simple and painless.The tooth requiring sealant will be cleaned by the dentist and a mild acid gel is painted on the fissures to etch the tooth surface.This is then quickly washed off and the tooth dried before the sealant is placed on the grooves.A blue light or sometimes and LED light is shone on to the sealant to set and harden it.
The sealants usually last for quite a number of years.However,over time,due to wear and tear,your dentist might need to repair some of them.Your dentist will check on the sealants during the 6 monthly dental check up.
Having said that,it does not meant that your child can be slack in his tooth brushing.The sealants will however make it easier to clean their teeth,as the grooves on the biting surfaces are now all covered up.
This looks mighty useful. But probably is a lot of work to do too! What age do you recommend this sort of treatment for and I probably shouldn’t ask here how much this costs
After doing my scaling with you I’ve been so conscious of my teeth. But the “soft” gums that you identified as problems are still bleeding when I floss. Not significant, but enough to stain the floss. Will this sort of thing stop with time?
Hi Izso
It took me a while before realising who you are
The fissure sealants are a very effective preventive treatment.Usually recommended from about age6-7 up till about 12-13 years old.Sometimes,but rarely and very selectively,I do it for adults.
It’s good to know that you are more aware of your oral health now.I believe with proper flossing and care,by now,your bleeding gums would have healed.