Fissure
Sealants:
Many people have deep pits and grooves
in their teeth where bacteria and food particles can hide and cause decay.
Dental sealants are a dental treatment
consisting of applying a plastic material to one or more teeth, for the purpose
of preventing dental caries (cavities) or other forms of tooth decay.
Dental sealants create an impenetrable
physical barrier for small food particles and cavity-causing bacteria, making them
highly effective in preventing tooth surface decay and the resulting cavities. Sealants
can last up to ten years.
A fissure sealant is an acrylic material
that helps to shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of back
teeth. Sealant material forms a protective barrier by bonding to tooth surfaces
and covering natural depressions and grooves (called pits and fissures) in the teeth.
More than 75 per cent of dental decay
begins in the pit and fissure areas of the back teeth.
Combined with proper home care and regular dental visits, sealants are efficient
in preventing tooth decay.
The sealant effect can last for many
years. Even though the sealant
material is durable, at subsequent dental appointments we make sure the sealant
materal is intact. Occasionally
we may need to replace or add a new layer to the sealant material to maintain the
effectiveness of the seal.
Though there is no specific age at
which sealants are indicated, often we will recommend that the best time is when
the six-year-old molars (first permanent molars) appear.
but
just because you have fissure sealants doesn't mean your teeth are immune
to decay.
If you have any restorations in your
mouth then considering fissure sealants is a good preventative option.
You must remember to brush twice daily with fluoride
tooth paste, especially before you go to sleep.
Oral Related Topics:
Oral Hygiene Tips
and Teeth brushing:
Fluoride and dental
health:
Some dental problems include:
-
Tooth Decay:
-
Gum disease (periodontal
disease):
-
Calculus:
-
Tooth (dental) erosion:
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Dental plaque: