Prevention is better than cure!

Protect your teeth from cavities. All about pit and fissure sealants.

Tooth decay is not an inevitable process. Cavities are a largely preventable disease. One of the most effective tools in the preventive dental armamentarium is the use of pit and fissure sealants.

What are sealants?

A thin flowable resin, this material seals the surface of the tooth, helping to prevent decay. Sealants act like a shield against tooth decay.

Why do I need sealants?

The surface of a tooth is never flat. It is made up of hills and valleys. The valleys are called pits and fissures. Sometimes, these tiny grooves are smooth and easy to clean, and they might not need any treatment.

At other times, they are thin, sharp and extending deep into the tooth. In such cases, the bristles of your toothbrush cannot go deep enough to clean these fissures. It is in these pits and fissures that food begins to get stuck. If it is not cleaned, eventually, the tooth will begin to decay.

A sealant smoothes out the sharp pits and fissures and creates an easily cleansible surface. This prevents food lodgement and prevents tooth decay.

What material is used to seal the tooth?

Sealants can be made of different materials such as resin composites or glass ionomer based sealants. Each has its own indications and your dentist will advise which is best for you!

Does my tooth have to be shaped or drilled to place the sealants?

That is the best part! The material used is extremely thin and flows into the deepest part of the pits and fissures. So usually, your tooth will be cleaned by a soft bristle brush, the surface conditioned to accept the sealant, and the sealant placed, all without touching the drill to your tooth!

Most of the time, the sealants will be placed out of occlusion. That means, unless the tooth decay has already started, you don't need to have any drilling before the sealant is placed. If a cavity has already occurred, your dentist might want to clean it out and restore it before placing the sealant.

Is the process painful/ Will I need an injection/ Will it hurt?

Not at all! Being preventive in nature, placing sealants is as close to painless as dentistry can get!

What care do I have to take after the procedure?

Usually you will be advised to eat solid food after an hour, and on the opposite side.

The tooth might take a day to "settle down" and get comfortable.

Do I have to visit my dentist again?

Sealants might wear off over time. A regular follow up is always recommended! Your dentist will advise you when to visit next depending on your caries risk assessment.