Fissure Sealants in Sandgate
The biting surfaces of back teeth naturally contain grooves and pits.
For some children and teenagers, these grooves are deep enough that food and plaque can become difficult to remove with a toothbrush.
A fissure sealant is a thin protective dental material placed over suitable grooves to make the surface easier to keep clean and reduce the risk of tooth decay developing there.
Not every tooth needs a fissure sealant.
At Dental Seasons, we assess the shape of the tooth, decay risk and individual circumstances before recommending treatment.
New families welcome.
What are fissures?
Fissures are the natural grooves found on the biting surfaces of back teeth.
Some grooves are relatively shallow and easy to clean.
Others are narrow and deep.
A toothbrush may have difficulty reaching the deepest part of these grooves, allowing plaque and food to remain trapped.
Over time, this can increase the risk of tooth decay developing in the fissure.
Fissure sealants are designed to cover these vulnerable grooves and create a smoother surface that is easier to keep clean.
What is a fissure sealant?
A fissure sealant is a thin layer of dental material placed over the grooves on the biting surface of a tooth.
The material flows into the fissures and is hardened so that it forms a protective covering.
Sealants are commonly white or clear and may be difficult to notice once they have been placed.
They are most often used on permanent molar teeth in children and teenagers, although other teeth may sometimes benefit depending on their anatomy and decay risk.
A fissure sealant does not remove natural tooth structure in the same way as treating an established cavity.
Its purpose is preventive.
Which teeth may benefit from fissure sealants?
Deep grooves
Teeth with narrow or deep fissures can be more difficult to clean effectively with a toothbrush.
Newly erupted permanent molars
Permanent molars can have pronounced grooves when they first erupt.
Their position at the back of the mouth can also make cleaning more challenging for children.
Higher risk of tooth decay
Children who have already experienced tooth decay or have other decay-risk factors may benefit from additional preventive measures.
Difficult-to-clean surfaces
The individual shape and position of a tooth may make plaque control more difficult even when brushing is otherwise good.
Not every child needs fissure sealants
Fissure sealants are not something that should automatically be placed on every back tooth. Some teeth have shallow grooves that are easy to clean and have a low risk of decay.
Other teeth may have deep fissures where a sealant provides a useful preventive benefit. We consider factors such as the depth and shape of the grooves, the child’s previous experience with tooth decay, current oral hygiene, diet and frequency of sugar exposure, fluoride exposure, whether the tooth can be adequately cleaned and whether there are already signs of decay.
The decision is made tooth by tooth rather than according to a one-size-fits-all rule.
How are fissure sealants placed?
Check the tooth
The tooth is examined to make sure a fissure sealant is appropriate and that there is no condition requiring different treatment.
Clean the surface
The biting surface is cleaned so the sealant can bond effectively to the tooth.
Keep the tooth dry
The tooth needs to be kept clean and dry while the sealant is being placed.
Cotton rolls, suction or other isolation methods may be used.
Prepare the enamel
The tooth surface is conditioned so the sealant can bond securely.
Apply the sealant
The material is flowed into the grooves and hardened.
Check the bite
We check that the sealant is comfortable when the child closes their teeth together.
The procedure is generally quick and does not normally require drilling into a healthy tooth.
Do fissure sealants prevent all tooth decay?
No.
Fissure sealants protect the specific grooves that they cover.
They do not protect every surface of the tooth.
Decay can still develop between teeth, around other surfaces or in areas where plaque repeatedly remains.
Sealants therefore work alongside, rather than replace:
- Twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning between the teeth where appropriate
- Limiting frequent sugary foods and drinks
- Regular dental assessment based on individual risk
- Appropriate fluoride exposure
A fissure sealant is one preventive tool rather than a guarantee that a tooth will never develop decay.
How long do fissure sealants last?
Fissure sealants are exposed to normal biting and chewing forces every day.
Over time, they can wear, chip or partially come away.
There is no fixed lifespan that applies to every sealant.
During future dental examinations, we can check whether the material is still covering the intended grooves.
If part of the sealant has worn away, it may sometimes be repaired or reapplied where appropriate.
A worn sealant does not automatically mean the tooth underneath has developed decay.
Can fissure sealants be used if decay has already started?
This depends on what is happening within the tooth.
A fissure sealant is primarily a preventive treatment.
If a tooth already has a cavity or damaged tooth structure that requires restoration, a dental filling may be more appropriate.
Very early changes sometimes need a different preventive approach depending on their location and extent.
The tooth should therefore be assessed before deciding whether it needs a sealant, monitoring or restorative treatment.
Fissure sealants for children and teenagers
Children and teenagers are the most common age groups to receive fissure sealants because newly erupted permanent molars can have deep grooves and can be challenging to clean.
As children develop their brushing skills, we can also show them and their parents where plaque tends to remain and how to clean the back teeth effectively.
A preventive appointment may therefore involve more than simply placing a sealant.
We also consider the child’s overall decay risk, brushing, fluoride use, diet and developing teeth.
Fissure sealants and the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Fissure sealing is one of the basic dental services that may be covered under the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible children.
Dental Seasons can check your child’s eligibility and available CDBS balance before eligible treatment is provided.
Coverage depends on current eligibility, the available benefit balance and any applicable service or item restrictions.
Sealants are part of a bigger preventive plan
Preventing tooth decay is rarely about one treatment.
A child’s risk changes as new teeth erupt, diet changes and brushing skills develop.
For some children, fissure sealants provide valuable additional protection.
For others, good brushing, fluoride and monitoring may be enough.
We prefer to recommend preventive treatment according to the child’s actual needs rather than applying the same treatment to every child.
Fissure sealants in Sandgate
Dental Seasons is located at 119A Brighton Road, Sandgate QLD 4017.
We provide fissure sealants and preventive dental care for children and teenagers from Sandgate and surrounding North Brisbane and bayside communities. See also our general dentistry services.
Fissure sealants can usually be assessed as part of a child’s routine dental examination.
Fissure sealant questions
What does a fissure sealant do?
A fissure sealant covers deep grooves on the biting surface of a tooth. This helps prevent food and bacteria becoming trapped in the grooves and can reduce the risk of tooth decay developing there.
Does every child need fissure sealants?
No. Whether they are beneficial depends on the shape of the individual teeth and the child’s risk of developing tooth decay.
Which teeth are usually sealed?
Permanent back molars are commonly considered because their biting surfaces can contain deep grooves. Other teeth may sometimes be suitable depending on their anatomy.
At what age should fissure sealants be placed?
There is no single age. They are commonly considered after suitable permanent molars have erupted sufficiently for the tooth to be properly assessed and kept dry during placement.
Do fissure sealants hurt?
Placing a sealant is generally straightforward and normally does not involve drilling into a healthy tooth. The surface is cleaned, prepared and coated with the sealant material.
Do fissure sealants require an injection?
Local anaesthetic is not normally required when a straightforward sealant is being placed on an otherwise healthy tooth.
How long do fissure sealants last?
There is no guaranteed lifespan. Sealants can gradually wear with chewing and should be checked during future dental examinations.
Can a fissure sealant fall out?
Sealant material can wear or become partially or completely lost over time. If this happens, the tooth can be reassessed and the sealant repaired or replaced if appropriate.
Can a sealed tooth still get a cavity?
Yes. A sealant only protects the grooves it covers. Decay can still develop on other parts of the tooth, so normal brushing, fluoride use and preventive dental care remain important.
Are fissure sealants covered by CDBS?
Fissure sealing is included among the dental services covered by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible children. Coverage remains subject to the child’s eligibility, available benefit balance and applicable restrictions.
Would your child’s teeth benefit from fissure sealants?
You do not need to decide before the appointment. During a dental examination, we can assess the grooves in your child’s teeth, consider their individual risk of tooth decay and explain whether a fissure sealant would provide a useful preventive benefit.
Preventive care based on the individual child
Children’s teeth and decay risk are not all the same.
Our Sandgate dental team considers the condition and shape of each tooth, oral hygiene, diet, fluoride exposure and previous dental history before recommending preventive treatment.
