Are fissure sealants important?
Yes, narrow microscopic pits and fissures are naturally present on the chewing surfaces of the molar tooth. A toothbrush bristle is too big to clean out all the food and plaque retained in the narrow grooves. Fissure sealant is a plastic material that flows within the pits and fissures to form a plug, thereby preventing food and plaque from embedding within the pits and fissures. This inturn prevents tooth decay. Fissure sealants should be routinely applied to the first permanent molars (six year old molars) and the second permanent molars.
