Pit and fissure sealants

Pit and fissure sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting children’s teeth from tooth decay.

A sealant is a thin plastic coating placed on the biting surfaces of the back adult teeth as soon as they come through.

How do pit and fissure sealants work?

Back teeth have tiny grooves and pits on their chewing surfaces. These areas can trap food and bacteria and are the most common places for tooth decay to start.

A sealant flows into these grooves and hardens to form a smooth, protective barrier over the enamel. This helps stop plaque and food from collecting and makes the tooth easier to clean.

At what age are fissure sealants placed?

Sealants are usually applied to:

• The first permanent molars, which come through at around 6 years of age.
• The second permanent molars, which appear between 11 and 14 years.

Your dentist will check when these teeth have fully come through and are ready to be sealed.

Does it hurt?

No. The procedure is completely pain-free. No drilling or injections are needed, and the teeth will feel the same afterwards.

What is involved?

Applying a fissure sealant is quick and simple and takes just a few minutes per tooth.

• The tooth is cleaned.
• The surface is prepared with a special solution.
• The tooth is dried.
• The liquid sealant is painted onto the tooth.
• A special light is used to harden the sealant.

Do teeth still need brushing?

Yes. Sealants protect the grooves on the biting surface, but the rest of the tooth can still develop decay.

It is still essential to:

• Brush for two minutes last thing at night and at least one other time during the day.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste.
• Visit the dentist regularly.

Sealants are an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for good brushing habits.