Fissure Sealants and Fluoride Application

What exactly is a fissure sealant?

The fine grooves and ridges on the chewing surface of molars are known in dentistry as fissures. These grooves are narrower than even a toothbrush bristle; the brush cannot reach in, while bacteria and food debris settle there easily. A large share of childhood decay begins on precisely these surfaces.

A fissure sealant is the placement of a flowable filling material into these narrow grooves, leaving the surface smooth.

What happens during the procedure?

The tooth is first cleaned and dried, the surface is prepared, the flowable material is applied into the fissures and hardened with a special light. No tooth is drilled and no anaesthesia is needed for this procedure. Just a few minutes per tooth is enough.

The most suitable timing for the procedure is when the permanent molar has fully erupted in the mouth, which usually falls around ages 6-7 and 11-13.

What does fluoride application provide?

Fluoride varnish raises the enamel surface's resistance to acid attack and helps support the arrest of lesions still at an early stage (seen as white spots). The high-concentration varnish applied in the clinic does not replace fluoride toothpaste used at home; the two complement each other.

Avoiding food and drink for 30 minutes afterward, and not brushing teeth that day, is recommended.

What is monitored in the following period?

Fissure sealants can wear down over time or partially come away. This is assessed at six-monthly check-ups and renewed when needed. A sealant does not replace regular brushing or reducing how often sugar is consumed; it is effective alongside these habits.

This page is general information and does not replace a dental examination. Whether the treatment suits you, and the method and duration, are decided only after an intraoral examination and radiographic assessment.