What are fissure sealants?
A fissure sealant is a protective coating placed on the biting surfaces of the teeth to prevent tooth decay. It is often used on the first permanent molars, which erupt into the mouth at about 6years of age. As these teeth have deep fissures (grooves) they are susceptible to decay as the fissures can’t been cleaned properly. The sealant make cleaning the tooth easier and will prevent decay in the pits and fissures.
Sealants are thin layers of resin that are placed on the pits and fissures and deep grooves of molars to prevent the development of cavities on these surfaces. Majority of decays on back teeth starts on grooves and pits of chewing surfaces, especially during the first few years after their eruption. Sealing these surfaces with composite resins reduces the chances of development of these kinds of decay. Sealants are one of the most effective methods of preventing caries and cavities on the surfaces where they are placed. Although there is still a possibility that decay may happen on surfaces in between the teeth, sealants significantly reduce the overall chance of having cavities.
