Fissure Sealants
Fissure Sealants may be your best option to prevent tooth decay stemming from fissures and plaque.
Early detection and treatment from Dr Irani at Gentle and Caring Dentistry may save you from having fillings fitted or worse.
What are fissures and why do they need treating?
Fissures are the grooves that naturally occur on the biting surfaces of teeth. These exist on all molars and premolars to some degree and can also occur on canines and incisors. Fissures are natural however if they are very deep and narrow, toothbrush bristles cannot clean out any food particles that may get trapped.
If your fissures can’t be cleaned properly by your toothbrush bacteria and plaque can develop with the plaque acids eating into tooth enamel and casing decay. With fissures being five times more likely to develop decay it is important that they are filled.
What is Fissure Sealant Treatment?
If Dr Irani inspects your teeth and finds you have deep fissures she is likely to recommend having fissure sealants applied. Fissure sealants are most commonly a plastic coating that is used to fill in the gaps, protecting your teeth from plaque and acids.
The treatment is quite simple and involves a thorough clean of the teeth, pre-treatment preparation and having the liquid sealant applied. Once the liquid has been applied it will quickly set and the professionals at Gentle and Caring dentistry will ensure that the sealant is comfortable in your mouth.
What are the benefits of Fissure Sealant Treatment?
Studies have shown there are a number of benefits of fissure sealant treatment conducted by a dental professional. These benefits include:
- Reduced occurrence of tooth decay – 100% protection for sealed teeth
- Protected teeth have half the risk of decay even after five years
- Painless and non-invasive treatment
- Potential to treat decay without fillings
Who is suitable for Fissure Sealant Treatment?
Fissure sealants are suitable for everyone and can even be recommended for the primary or ‘baby’ teeth of children if deep fissures have developed early.
Each time you come to Gentle and Caring Dentistry for a check-up we will assess your fissures to ensure they are healthy and do not need treatment, however if they do, this is nothing to worry about.
What do I need to do before treatment?
Before fissure treatment we strongly recommend you have a full scale and polish of your teeth to remove any existing plaque. You don’t need to book this treatment specifically though as Dr Irani will need to assess your fissures as part of a check-up first to ensure there are no other treatments you require prior to this.
