Dental health...Pit and Fissure Sealants

Dental health…Pit and Fissure Sealants

Jan 31, 2016 News

By Dr. NerominiFagu
The use of pit and fissure sealants is a part of preventive dentistry measures. Along with good oral hygiene

Toothbrush bristle is too large to remove food and bateria in groove.

and regular dental cleaning it can help prevent tooth decay. Decay usually starts in the deep pits (hollows) and fissures (grooves) of your teeth. Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always remove the food and plaque from all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth.
What is a sealant?
It is a special plastic coating that is applied on the chewing surfaces of teeth covering the pits and fissures. The sealant forms a protective barrier that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the teeth’s pits and fissures to cause tooth decay.
Who should get sealants?
The chance of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are primary candidates. But adults can benefit from sealants as well. Some teeth naturally have deep grooves which will need to be sealed while others have shallow ones which will not need sealing.
Sealants are mostly placed in the back teeth – the molars and premolars- but may also be placed on front teeth that have deep pits. Your dentist will examine the surfaces of your teeth to determine if you can benefit from sealants. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages six to fourteen.
In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth that have deep pits and fissures. Baby teeth play an important role in maintaining the correct spacing for adult teeth so it is important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early.
Is the process painful?
No, the application of a pit and fissure sealant is relatively straightforward and involves no drilling or needles. First, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris in the pits and fissures. Then, a special solution is applied to the tooth for a short period of time after which it is washed off. The tooth is then dried and isolated with cotton rolls to prevent saliva contamination.
The liquid sealant is placed in the pits and fissures and a special light is used to harden the sealant. The sealant bonds to the enamel of the tooth creating a smooth surface. After the process, your dentist will check your bite to make sure you don’t have any “high spots” on the sealant.
How long do sealants last?
With proper care your sealants usually last for many years, but you should visit your dentist regularly to have them checked to make sure the seal is still intact. Over time the sealants can wear away so your dentist may need to add to or replace them.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected]