Fissure sealants
Fissure sealants are a preventative dental service offered especially to children at risk of developing tooth decay. It’s one of the many preventative dental services provided by the friendly dental professionals of Richmond Road Dental.
To explain what a fissure sealant is, it’s important first to know what a fissure is.
What is a fissure in a tooth?
Fissures are the grooves that naturally occur in the enamel surfaces of teeth. Enamel fissures:
- can form in baby or adult teeth
- are more common in molar (back) teeth, but can occur in any tooth
- sometimes look more like pits than grooves
- can be shallow (and easy to clean)
- can be deep and narrow, making it challenging to keep food and bacteria from settling within them.
Over time, the presence of food and bacteria typically leads to the formation of tooth decay, commonly known as cavities.
Here is where dental fissure sealants come into play!
What is a fissure sealant?
A fissure sealant is a tooth-friendly version of a filler used to patch holes in walls. Its purpose is to fill the fissures so there is no room for food and bacteria to settle.
The best time to place a fissure sealant is when the teeth first erupt into the mouth.
How is a fissure sealant placed?
Placing fissure sealants is a non-invasive procedure carried out without local anaesthesia.
First, we clean the grooves to remove food and bacteria. Then, we make sure the tooth is completely dry.
Next, we fill the grooves with a flowable filling material and set it to make it hard.
Each tooth typically requires just a few minutes of treatment. Children as young as six years old cope very well with the procedure.
How long do fissure sealants last?
Fissure sealants often last for many years, but they can be lost or chipped and sometimes need replacing.
Like all teeth, a tooth with a fissure sealant must still be brushed, flossed, and looked after.
How do you know if your child’s teeth would benefit from fissure sealants?
Our dentists closely monitor children’s teeth at check-ups as they emerge through the gums. When we notice a tooth with deep fissures, we recommend placing a fissure sealant to prevent a cavity from developing.
Fissure sealants are an effective part of our suite of preventative dental services. We love keeping little teeth healthy and strong!
Important to know
- This page contains general information about fissure sealants. It cannot replace individualised advice from your dental practitioner. Please consult your dentist for specific recommendations about your oral health and necessary treatments.
Make an appointment with one of our dentists.
We love protecting little teeth and setting children on the pathway to a lifetime of good oral health and positive dental experiences. To make an appointment for your child, please contact our friendly reception team.
Resources about fissure sealants
Learn more about fissure sealants
- Fissure sealants (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Association
Downloadable fact sheets
Download these helpful information sheets
- Fissure sealants – A fact sheet from the Australian Dental Association
