Are fissure seals necessary?

Fissure Sealants are a treatment option but are not necessary for every child. Your Dentist or Oral Health Therapist will discuss with you if they think the treatment would benefit your child.

How long does a fissure seal last?

How Long Do Sealants Last? According to the NHS, fissure sealants can last anywhere from five to 10 years. Despite this, such protective covers can cost as little as £22.00 per tooth.

When do you need fissure seals?

Fissure sealants are recommended for children as soon as their permanent molars and premolars erupt. This is approximately around the age of 6. There is a golden rule that fissure sealants should be applied “as soon as possible after the molars and premolars have erupted”.

How does a fissure sealant protect your teeth?

A. Fissure sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your children’s teeth from tooth decay. It is a plastic coating which covers the chewing surfaces of the back adult teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth.

What kind of sealant should I use on my teeth?

Dental sealant. Dental sealants (also termed pit and fissure sealants, or simply fissure sealants) are a dental treatment intended to prevent tooth decay. Teeth have recesses on their biting surfaces; the back teeth have fissures (grooves) and some front teeth have cingulum pits.

How are dental sealants help prevent 1st molar cavities?

School-age children (ages 6-11) without sealants have almost 3 times more 1st molar cavities than those with sealants. Although the overall number of children with sealants has increased over time, low-income children are 20% less likely to have them and 2 times more likely to have untreated cavities than higher-income children.

Can a pediatric dentist put sealants on their teeth?

Application of sealants may be appropriate for some pediatric dental patients to prevent tooth decay in kids. However, they are not a substitute for brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet. Dental sealants can be placed by your dentist, dental hygienist, or other dental professional.