Fissure Sealants

What are Fissures?

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Fissures are the grooves that naturally occur on the biting surfaces of the teeth. All molars and premolars have fissures to some degree. If fissures are very deep and narrow, toothbrush bristles cannot fit inside to clean out food particles. Trapped food attracts bacteria, which multiply within the fissures and make a sticky coating called plaque. The plaque acids then eat into the tooth enamel causing decay. Not all fissures are prone to decay, generally only the deepest and narrowest fissures are at risk.

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What are Fissure Seals?

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Fissure sealants are often plastic coatings applied by your dentist that fill the fissures and protect teeth from dental plaque and acids. Many studies have shown that fissure sealants are effective in reducing the occurrence of the tooth decay. On a tooth surface with completely sealed fissures, protection is 100 percent. Treatment is painless and non-invasive, with a coat of the sealant applied to a cleaned tooth.