The process is simple and conservative: the tooth is cleaned and treated before flowing a sealant over the fissures, which will set. To learn more about the fissure sealant process, or to book your appointment, call us on 9570 7962, or visit Chesterville Dental today at our Bentleigh East dental clinic. Servicing the Melbourne bayside and wider Bentleigh area, we are here to help with any dental needs you may have.
When is a fissure sealant?
Dental fissure sealants are made of a white or clear composite resin, similar to a tooth filling. The sealant is most commonly applied to the grooves of the molar teeth to reduce the advance of tooth decay and cavities.
Having fissure sealants applied by a dental practitioner is a quick and painless procedure. Less complicated than dental fillings, each tooth takes just a few minutes to treat and no anaesthetic is needed.
The process is as follows:
clean the tooth
prepare the surface of the tooth for bonding with the sealant
the sealant is painted onto the tooth, filling the grooves and pits
let the sealant harden
check the sealant has properly set and polish away excess sealant
Fissure Sealant Aftercare
After your fissure sealant application, continue to brush your teeth as usual and practive oral hygeine.
To ensure that your sealant keeps in good condition, you should visit your dentist regularly to check them. Over the years, your fissure sealants will wear down and need to be reapplied.
Can Children have Fissure Sealants?
Yes. It is common to apply dental fissure sealants to children’s teeth to protect them from decay and cavities.
What are the benefits and Risks of Fissure Sealants?
If your teeth have grooves and pits (fissures), brushing may not be able to get to them to be properly cleaned. Fissure sealants are a simple and effective means to protect your teeth from decay and cavities in this situation.
In rare events, some people may have an allergic reaction to the sealant. There is a slight risk of changing your bite if the sealant is too thick, although our dentists will make every effort to avoid it.
