PIT AND FISSURE SEALANTS

Pit & Fissure Sealants for Children and adolescents - Preventing Cavities even before they begin.

What are sealants?

The chewing surfaces of back teeth are usually groovy, have many irregularities and are called “PITS & FISSURES”. These surfaces are the prime cause of food retention and cavity progression. Sealant is a type of dental filling material, which is applied as a thin layer on these deep groovy surfaces thereby protecting the sealed surface from decay.

How do these fillings work?

Sealants are an effective means of “CAVITY-PREVENTION”. The thin barrier placed prevents food and bacteria from accumulating on the teeth preventing decay. Additionally fluoride-containing sealants are also available.

In which patients are sealants indicated?

Not all teeth are eligible for sealant therapy; a careful evaluation is required based on the following indications.

• Primarily used for Cavity Prevention rather than treatment of existing cavities.
• When the patient is at a risk for tooth decay.
• Ideally recommended for children and adolescents

AGE TOOTH TYPE

• 3-4 years Baby teeth (Primary molars)
• 6-7 years Permanent teeth (1st molar)
• 11-13 years Permanent Teeth (2nd molar and premolars)

• Newly erupted teeth
• Sealants are usually placed on the back teeth (premolars and molars)
• Occasionally indicated in baby teeth when the child is cooperative.

How much time will the procedure take?

Sealants can usually be performed in a single sitting depending on the number of teeth. Following this, check-up visits are required to monitor the sealant once a year.