Preventive Pit and Fissure Dental Sealants

Preventive treatments like dental sealants are one of the many services Specialist Kids Dentist offer our patients in Liverpool and Penrith.

Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your child’s mouth. It is difficult for a toothbrush to reach between the small cracks and grooves on teeth. Fissure sealants are thin plastic coatings that are painted on to the grooves of back teeth, making a smooth, easy to clean surface.  This protective layer keep food and bacteria out and stop decay happening in the fissures.

When is it a good time to check and see if your child can benefit from dental sealants?

Most decay starts in the narrow pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of the back teeth (molars). Preventive dental sealants are usually placed on permanent molars, but can also be placed on some baby teeth that are in danger of getting cavities.

Your child’s first set of permanent molars erupts around age 6. At this time it is very important to have your child come in for a check up in order to see if they are ready for sealants. Their second set molars erupts around age 12 and these too need to be protected by dental sealants. Placing sealants as soon as these teeth erupt can help protect them from future cavities.

What’s involved?

The process is usually quick and easy taking only a few minutes per tooth. It does not cause pain, does not need injections and does not need any drilling.

The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The sealant material is then flowed into the pits and grooves of the tooth and hardened by a special light. Your child will be able to eat right after the appointment.

How long does fissure sealant last?

Sealant usually last for many years, but needs to be checked regularly to make sure that the seal is intact.

It can wear over time, and sometimes needs to be added to or replaced to be sure that no decay can start underneath it.

A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact so if your child’s sealants come off, let us know at Specialist Kids Dentist, and schedule an appointment for your child’s teeth to be re-sealed.

Is it possible to get cavities even if you have dental sealants?

The experts at Specialist Kids Dentist will often tell patients that sealants, despite their benefits, do not guarantee that your child will not get a cavity.  Sealants will decrease the chances of getting cavities but improper oral hygiene, lack of brushing and flossing, as well as eating sugary foods will cause cavities to occur.

Contact us at Specialist Kids Dentist to find out if your child may benefit from a dental sealant or visit one of our offices in Liverpool or Summer Hill.