Fissure sealants are an effective and pain-free way of protecting your teeth or your child’s teeth from tooth decay. A fissure sealant is a resin coating that covers the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, forming a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves.

We often receive phone calls from confused patients on the difference between fissure sealants and dental fillings. The main difference between the two is that fissures sealants are a preventative measure, whereas fillings are a reactive measure.

Fissure sealants are applied to prevent cavities occurring in healthy teeth. They are often used by children when their molars erupt but can also be used by adults who have molars with deep grooves that don’t yet have cavities. Fillings on the other hand, are only used when tooth decay and cavities are present. This reactionary measure is required to prevent further decay and dental problems.

Without a doubt, the major benefit of fissure sealants is that they prevent cavities that are more costly to fix and can be painful! In contrast to fillings, fissure sealant treatments are a quick, painless, and inexpensive procedure, and they last up to six years.

We can apply fissure sealants at your regular check-up. We start by thoroughly cleaning the tooth and then apply an etching gel which ensures the sealant will bond and kill any remaining bacteria. The etching gel is then washed off and a liquid resin-based plastic is applied to seal off the fissures present in the molars and pre-molars. The final step is to dry and evaluate the sealants with a simple test to ensure the sealant has been placed correctly and does not affect your bite.

If you have a child and want to prevent them from any unnecessary pain and dental work in the future, be sure to give us a call at Soul Dental for more information regarding fissure sealants. For adults interested in reaping the same benefits, we can confirm if you are eligible for fissure sealants at your next dental check-up.