by TF

Created on: April 16, 2009

Dental sealants are also known as fissure sealants. Teeth have fissures which are like cracks on the surface. These cracks are not easy to clean and even the bristles of as tooth brush don't often reach in the fissures. Dental decay requires a number of factors to progress. It requires food in the form of sugars , bacteria to digest the sugars , a susceptible tooth surface like a fissure and time. If any one of these factors is missing the decay will not pprogress. The selants proect a susceptible tooth surface and so one of the essential factors is taken out of the equation. Sealants are coatings which cover these cracks and so seal them from any bacteria or food . Thus bacteria and sugars from the diet required for the process of dental decay are prevented from entering and so the sealants help protect the tooth . They can prevent dental decay and are easily reversible as not tooth substance is removed in their placement.

There are different types of sealants made from a variety of materials . They can be made from resins like composites or glass ionomer based. The resins last longer but the glass-ionomer release fluoride and so protect the tooth. Sealants are easy to place but do require the tooth to be dry during placement as even slight moisture can spoil the bond to the tooth. Good cooperation between the dentist and the patient is essential for the success. The procedure doesn't need an anaesthetic and is quick and painless.

There are many problems with sealants and so they are only advised if it is considered necessary. Not all teeth require protecting as some fissures are not deep or problematic . Likewise if the cracks are deep but there is less sugars in the diet and good oral hygiene again there is no need for sealants.

Dental sealants do prevent dental decay but they are expensive to place and require monitoring by regular dental checkups to ensure that they are still in place . Sometimes they fall off or even worse allow leakage beneath the sealant. This leakage can encourage decay which is not easily seen as it is under the sealant. Sealants are also advised in certain age groups like children and teenagers whose teeth are more prone to decay as they have newly erupted and the fissures appear deeper. It is unusual to place sealants in an older population. Mostly it is repair of an old sealant or placing a new one where a sealant has fallen off.

Learn more about this author, TF.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.