Dental Health: Do Dental Sealants Prevent Tooth Decay?
Dental sealants, also called fissure sealants, are thin plastic coatings that are applied into the grooves of the molar teeth to seal them from bacteria. It may also be applied to premolar teeth if the grooves in these teeth are deep or if the individual has a high risk category for developing tooth decay. Fissure sealants are usually indicated in children’s molar teeth as soon as possible after they erupt into the mouth. This is because the pit and fissures of these teeth are most susceptible to tooth decay upon eruption into the mouth. Over time, after a length of exposure in the mouth, it is believed that the pit and fissures decrease in susceptibility to tooth decay and no longer warrant the use of fissure sealants. Resin and glass ionomer are the two dental materials used for placing fissure sealants. Being white or colourless, fissure sealants are not usually visible after they have been placed into the mouth. Glass ionomer sealants are intended only as a temporary measure as the
