CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY
Fissure Sealant
The method that protects the surfaces most open to decay before decay begins
Provided at our clinic in Altunizade, Üsküdar (Istanbul).
IN SHORT
A fissure sealant is the protection against decay of the deep grooves and pits on the chewing surface of the back teeth by sealing them with a flowable filling material. The sealant closes these recesses that the brush cannot reach, preventing the build-up of food and bacteria, so that decay is stopped before it begins. A fissure sealant does not treat an existing cavity and does not replace brushing; it is applied only to suitable, cavity-free teeth for a preventive purpose.
What is a fissure sealant?
The chewing surface of the back teeth (molars) naturally has grooves and pits. These recesses are often narrower than the bristles of a toothbrush; for this reason the food debris and bacteria that enter them cannot be fully removed by brushing. This is why decay in children most often begins on these surfaces.
A fissure sealant is the process of sealing these grooves and pits with a thin, flowable material. When the surface becomes smooth it is easier to clean and food build-up is prevented. The procedure does not require cutting the tooth, is painless and is usually applied without anaesthesia.
For whom and to which teeth is it applied?
A fissure sealant is most often preferred on newly erupted teeth with deeply grooved chewing surfaces. The most suitable time is to apply it shortly after the tooth erupts into the mouth and before any decay has formed.
The first permanent molars, which erupt in children at around the age of six.
Deeply grooved milk molars.
Other suitable permanent teeth in children at high risk of decay.
Patients are accepted at our clinic in the field of children's dentistry; which teeth are suitable for a sealant is determined by examination.
The timing of the sealant is important for its protective effect. The chewing surface of a newly erupted molar, while decay has not yet begun, is the most suitable period. For this reason, at children's regular check-ups, newly erupting teeth are also assessed for a sealant; this makes it possible to prevent decay before it begins.
In which situations is it not applied?
A fissure sealant is not suitable for every tooth and every situation; to avoid unnecessary application, the tooth is assessed first.
A sealant is not placed directly on a tooth that already has a cavity; the decay needs to be dealt with first. Otherwise a hidden cavity progressing beneath the sealant may develop.
On teeth with shallow, flat grooves and a low risk of decay, a sealant is often unnecessary.
Because the tooth needs to be kept dry during application, in very young children who find it hard to cooperate the timing is reassessed.
The application step by step
Cleaning
The chewing surface of the tooth is cleaned.
Preparation and drying
The surface is prepared and dried so that the sealant adheres.
Application
The sealant is flowed into the grooves and pits.
Setting and check
The sealant is set and the bite is checked.
After the procedure
The procedure is short and, because it does not require any loss of sensation in the tooth, it is a comfortable application for children. Normal eating can resume immediately after the application.
Dry field and duration
Keeping the tooth dry during application is important for the sealant to adhere well to the surface; for this reason the child needs to be able to keep the mouth open for a short time. As the process is short, most children manage this easily and several teeth are usually completed in a single session.
Afterwards and durability
A fissure sealant can wear down over time with chewing forces or partly come away. For this reason the state of the sealant is assessed at regular check-ups and it is renewed when needed. The presence of a sealant does not remove the need for regular brushing and a balanced diet.
The absence of decay on a tooth with a sealant is often a sign that the sealant is doing its job. However, a sealant protects only the chewing surface; the side surfaces of the tooth and the spaces between the teeth remain unprotected. Protecting these areas from decay is achieved through daily care such as flossing and correct brushing.
Its place in preventive dentistry
A fissure sealant should be considered not on its own but as part of preventive dentistry. The basis of preventing decay in children is a correct brushing habit, reducing the frequency of sugary and acidic foods and regular dental check-ups. Within this whole, the sealant is an additional measure that particularly protects the surfaces most open to decay.
The most important advantage of the sealant is that it comes into play before decay has even begun. For this reason, assessing the tooth shortly after it erupts into the mouth allows its protective effect to be used fully. At check-ups both the state of the sealant and the decay risk of the other teeth are reviewed together.
Risks and limits
A fissure sealant is a low-risk, preventive application. The most important limit is that the tooth to which it is applied must be free of decay; for this reason the assessment before application is important.
A fissure sealant is not a treatment but a preventive method. It does not heal an existing cavity and does not replace brushing; it should be considered as part of oral care.
The difference between a fissure sealant and fluoride
A fissure sealant and fluoride application protect against decay in two different ways. The two methods are not competitors but complementary; which one, or both, is suitable is assessed according to the risk of decay. The table below compares the two.
Compare the options
| Fissure sealant | Fluoride application | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of protection | Mechanical: physically seals the grooves | Chemical: strengthens the enamel |
| Area of effect | The grooves and pits of the chewing surface | The entire enamel surface of the tooth |
| Purpose | To prevent the build-up of food and bacteria | To increase the enamel's resistance to acid |
| Note | Applied to a suitable, cavity-free tooth | Assessed according to the risk of decay |
Which option is suitable is decided together after an intraoral examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The procedure does not require cutting the tooth and is usually applied without anaesthesia, painlessly. In this respect it is a comfortable application for children.
Yes. A sealant protects only the grooves on the chewing surface; the other surfaces of the tooth and the gums require regular brushing. A sealant does not replace oral care.
It can wear down over time or partly come away. Its state is assessed at regular check-ups and it is renewed if needed.
A sealant that has partly come away reduces the protection of that area and can create a place for build-up beneath it. For this reason its state is assessed at check-ups and it is renewed when needed; in the meantime it is important not to neglect oral care.
It is most often applied to newly erupted teeth in children, but it can also be considered in adults whose decay risk and tooth surface are suitable. Suitability is determined according to the state of the tooth.
Related treatments
The content on this site is for information only and does not replace a clinical examination. The suitability, duration and scope of treatment are determined after a clinical assessment.
This content was prepared by Dt. Mevlüt Yazıcı.
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Altes Diş Kliniği
Altunizade, Üsküdar, İstanbul
- PHONE+90 533 474 43 94
- EMAIL[email protected]
- ADDRESSAlperen İş Merkezi, Valide-i Atik Mahallesi, Altunizade, Nuhkuyusu Cd D:191/B, 34664 Üsküdar/İstanbul
- WORKING HOURSWeekdays 10:00–19:00 · Saturday 10:00–16:00 · Sunday closed