As the most effective way for preventing dental caries for children, pit and fissure sealing has been extensively used in pediatric dentistry. Some, however, still concern that it will do harm to children. The dentist from AKJ Stomatological Hospital are about to work out the confusion for parents.

About pit and fissure sealing

As we all know, teeth replacing happens in childhood. During the period, any kind of dental disease will cast a vital impact on children’s development. It is the children who are sensitive and prone to oral diseases. With the retention of food debris, various oral diseases will take place.

What is pit and fissure sealing? It refers to coat pit and fissure on crown occlusal surface and buccal tongue surface with sealant. With the infiltration and solidification of the sealant, it turns out to be a protective screen which will prevent teeth from eroding by bacteria and acidic metabolite. It is usually conducted in childhood, serving to protect children’s teeth.

The best timing

It is the best to conduct pit and fissure sealing when tooth has erupted completely and hasn’t suffered from cavities yet.

As long as the tooth eruption has reached the occlusion plane, the sealing can be done for children, generally within 4 years since tooth embarking on eruption.

The best timing for sealing deciduous molar is at age 3-4, for the first molar at age 6-7, for the second molar at age 11-13, and for bicuspid at age 9-13.

As for disable children with poor oral hygiene practice, though they are older or their teeth have erupted for a longer time, the maximum age can be raised to a certain degree.

Will pit and fissure sealing do harm to children?

There is no deny that it is an effective way to prevent dental caries for children. However, parents still wonder whether it will do harm to their children or not.

It is a pain-free and trauma-free method, with a history of over 50 years being used internationally. The most important step is to cement. The result of cementation depends on how well the saliva isolation is done during the process.

Therefore, parents should choose a professional and reliable hospital for children, in order to reach a decent result and protect children’s teeth from damaging. It is recommended paying a return visit to a dentist every 6 months or 12 months, with a purpose to detect and tackle problems in time.

Is there any dental problem bothering you? Feel free to contact me.