What does this dental fissure sealing consist of?
Sealing consists of placing a resin non-invasively and painlessly over the fissures and grooves of the teeth. It is a simple technique that works as a barrier for any type of bacterial deposit in the most susceptible areas of the tooth, and thus makes it impossible for caries to develop. This thin layer can be colored or transparent, although they are usually white.
The sealing of fissures and pits is carried out mainly on molars, but it can also be placed on teeth that have some more marked anatomy and with them a possible deposit of larger plaque or anatomies that are difficult to access in order to keep them clean on a daily basis, thus a cavity could develop more easily.
When can fissure sealing be performed in children?
In children, it is recommended to seal fissures after the complete eruption of the tooth, not when it is semi-erupted or is still in the process of eruption. And after the appearance of the tooth, its placement must be as soon as possible in order to avoid any possibility of incipient caries. The longer it takes to seal the fissures, the greater the risk of caries and, therefore, this technique could not be performed, having to proceed to make a filling by removing the existing caries.
They are usually performed around 6 years of age with the appearance of the first permanent molars, and then at 12 years of age with the appearance of the second molars. As we have commented, another tooth that is sometimes susceptible is the upper lateral incisor, which during dental formation can develop a possible groove in the area next to the palate, which, being a somewhat complicated area for brushing, can have some small cavities in it, the groove.
In other words, from the age of 6, the child’s dentist/pedodontist will decide whether or not to seal fissures based on the examination, diagnosis, and habits of the child.
As it is a prevention method we will always recommend it in children with a high risk of caries, together with continuous check-ups and control of hygienic and eating habits, but we can also do it in children who have a more marked anatomy in a tooth, who do not meet the recommended habits or that it is not possible to brush daily correctly.
Why is it advisable to perform fissure sealing?
The purpose of sealing pits and fissures is is to avoid the deposit of bacteria on the most sensitive areas of the tooth in order not to develop cavities and maintain the integrity of the tooth in an easy, fast, painless and without repercussions for the teeth with the years. This technique does not mean that by being performed correctly and at the right time it will save the tooth from developing cavities over the years. It is a prevention technique but it must be accompanied by periodic check-ups (recommended every six months), fluoride application, diet control, and daily dental hygiene (in young children checked by adults).
It is not recommended to seal pits and fissures if the tooth has already erupted years ago, has incipient caries or caries in the area next to the tooth next to it, because in these cases the integrity of the tooth and the sealing of the teeth are already altered. In thes areas does not fulfill its main role of preserving and preventing caries.
