What are Sealants?
Sealants are a painless and effective approach to protect your teeth from tooth decay as explained by a family dentist in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Sealants are protective plastic coatings that are placed on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant produces a hard barrier, preventing food and germs from entering the microscopic crevices in the teeth and causing decay. In this blog post, we talk about fissure sealants including their indications and how long they last.
Who Needs Fissure Sealant?
Fissure sealants are highly recommended for children and teens since the risk of developing pit and fissure decay begins soon after the molars and premolars emerge. Children and teens are frequently the best candidates for sealants to safeguard their teeth during these cavity-prone years.
Adults can also benefit from fissure sealants, especially those who are at a higher risk of developing caries or have deep grooves and fissures in their teeth. However, the choice to use sealants should always be based on the advice of a dental expert, who can evaluate the patient’s specific needs and oral health.
How Long Does Fissure Sealant Last?
They should endure for at least a few years, depending on the quality and placement. We’ve seen some last up to 15 years. If a fissure sealant was improperly applied or X-rays revealed degradation beneath it, it must be removed.
What Are Fissure Sealants Made of?
For a fissure sealant to be effective, it needs to be kept dry during placement. There are two materials that dentists use:
Gic (Glass Ionomer Cement)
- Quick and easy to place – not many steps in the procedure and sets fast
- Tooth-coloured adhesive (plastic) fillings
- One of its cons is that it may leak, and cause bacteria to get in
- Best used as a temporary fissure sealant while a tooth is coming up
- Not as strong – can fall out or wear sooner
- More water tolerant
RESIN
- Tooth-coloured, resin (acrylic) sealant – as used in adult dentistry
- Less water tolerant
- Best used as a permanent fissure sealant
- Placement takes longer and is more complex
- Studies show they’re much stronger and last longer
Fissure sealants are a preventative measure that dentists use to help prevent cavities. Although they are generally recommended for children as soon as their permanent molars erupt, they also benefit adults as an added layer of fissure-sealing teeth protection for their matured pearlies.
