| SEALANTS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
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- What Are Pits And Fissures?
- During normal tooth development, deep grooves form in the back
teeth. These grooves are called fissures. A pit forms where two fissures
cross.
These pits and fissures fill up with food and bacteria. Because
toothbrush bristles are too thick to reach into the pits and fissures,
the food and bacteria cannot be easily removed by brushing, flossing, or
rinsing.
The protective enamel layer on the tooth is particularly thin in these
pits and fissures. Bacteria acts on the food to form strong acids that
weaken and destroy the tooth
enamel. Decay starts, and a cavity is formed. In order to save the
tooth, it must be repaired by a dentist.
- Why Sealants Are Important?
- The use of fluorides have dramatically reduced the incidence of
tooth decay. However, fluorides are most effective in protecting the
smooth surfaces of the teeth. Their use is limited in the pit and
fissure area. Sealants provide additional protection by shielding these
hard to reach grooves from decay-causing agents.
- When Sealants Should Be Used?
- Tooth decay occurs much faster in children than in adults.
Sealants should be applied to a child's teeth as soon as possible,
before decay has had a chance to set in.
- How Are Sealants Applied?
- Sealants are applied quickly and easily by either the dentist
or dental hygienist. There is no discomfort and no need for anesthesia.
First, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned to remove debris and bacteria.
Then, the surfaces to be sealed are chemically treated to etch the tooth
for better bonding. The liquid sealant is then painted on the surface
of the tooth, where it flows into the pits and fissures. Some sealants
harden with air exposure; others require ultraviolet or visible light. A
hand held "light wand" may be used for this purpose.
- How Long Do Sealants Last?
- Sealants usually last many years. The abrasive nature of some
foods, like ice, hard candy, or sticky foods can dislodge or damage a
sealant. When this happens, the sealant can be reapplied to the tooth.
- Do Sealants Need to be Reapplied?
- When the sealant is applied, fingerlike strands penetrate the
pits and fissures of the tooth enamel. Although the sealant cannot be
seen with the naked eye, the protective effect of these strands
continues. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will
be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of
normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is
needed.As a result, it may be several years before another application
of sealant is needed. Reapplication of the sealant will continue the
protection against decay and my save the time and expense of having a
tooth restored. Your dentist will check sealants during regular dental
visits to determine if reapplication is necessary.
- Are Sealants only for kids?
- The likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early
in life, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates. But adults
can also benefit from sealants as well.
- Tooth Decay And Sealants
- If the decay process has already started, it is too late to
apply sealants as a preventive measure. Decay will not start under a
fissure sealant because the decay causing organisms are deprived of the
food and oxygen they need to flourish. Therefore, some teeth may not be
good candidates for sealing while others may be fine.
- Remember...
- The use of sealants substantially reduces the risk of tooth
decay by keeping food and bacteria out of cavity prone areas. In
combination with careful brushing, flossing, and fluorides, sealants are
an effective step towards a lifetime of excellent dental health.
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