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020 8874 3877
What are dental fissure sealants?
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
For fissure sealants you can see: Morris Weinstein, Elizabeth Basset, Giuseppe Di Filippo
Which teeth should be sealed?
Sealants are only applied to the back teeth – the molars and premolars. These are the teeth that have ‘pits’ (small hollows) and ‘fissures’ (grooves) on their biting surfaces.
Your dental team will tell you which teeth should be sealed after they have examined them, and checked whether the fissures are deep enough for sealing to help. Some teeth naturally have deep grooves which will need to be sealed; others have shallow ones which will not need sealing.
What is involved with fissure sealants?
The process is usually quick and straightforward, taking only a few minutes for each tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining a bright light onto it.
Will I feel a dental sealant?
No, applying dental sealants is totally pain free, and the teeth do not feel any different afterwards.
How long do pit and fissure sealants last?
Sealants usually last for many years, but your dental team will want to check them regularly to make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes the dental team need to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath it.
How do pit and fissure sealants work?
The sealant forms a smooth, protective barrier by covering all the little grooves and dips in the surface of the tooth. Dental decay easily starts in these grooves if they are not sealed.
When should a fissure sealant be done?
Sealants are often applied as soon as the first permanent teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 and 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 14 years of age.
Do I still have to clean my teeth?
Yes. It is still very important to do this. The smooth, sealed surface is now much easier to keep clean and healthy with normal brushing.
Using a fluoride toothpaste last thing at night and at least one other time during the day will help to protect your teeth. Pit and fissure sealing reduces tooth decay and the number of fillings you might need.
What is the fissure sealant price?
You can check out our fees page to learn more about our fissure sealant prices. For an exact quotation, please get in touch with the team by calling 020 8874 3877 or emailing smiles@preventivedental.com.
Are fissure sealants safe?
Yes, fissure sealants are considered very safe and have been used for many years to protect teeth from decay. The coating is a thin layer of dental material that simply sits on the surface of the tooth and does not affect the tooth structure underneath.
They are often recommended for children and teenagers because they provide an added layer of defence where brushing can sometimes miss.
Are fissure sealants necessary?
Fissure sealants are not essential for everyone, but they are highly beneficial for teeth that have deep grooves which are difficult to clean properly. These grooves are prone to trapping food and bacteria, making them more vulnerable to cavities.
Sealants help prevent problems before they start, which can save time, money and discomfort in the long run.
Can you eat after fissure sealants?
You can usually eat straight after having fissure sealants applied as the material hardens almost instantly under a special light. There is no recovery time, so children can go back to school and eat their normal meals right away. However, avoiding very sticky or chewy foods for the first few hours can help keep the sealants in the best condition.
Do you offer dental sealants near me?
Yes, Preventive Dental provides fissure sealants as part of our preventive care services at 13–15 Replingham Road, Southfields, London, SW18 5LT. Our clinic is easy to reach by car, bus or train.
Whether you are based in Wimbledon, Putney, Tooting, Wandsworth or travelling from further afield, visiting us is straightforward and stress-free. Our friendly and experienced team are here Monday to Friday to help protect your teeth with treatments such as fissure sealants, so contact us today to book an appointment!
Courtesy of the British Dental Health Foundation – www.dentalhealth.org