Dental sealants are widely used to prevent tooth decay clinically. But some parents unfamiliar with it may still be convinced by the rumor: teeth coasted by dental sealants are decayed more easily. Is this true?

As the picture shows, the pits and fissures on the biting surfaces of the teeth are hard to reach by bristles. They are the most susceptible in harboring bacteria, causing carious lesions.

Let’s see how fissure sealant protects our teeth.

Generally speaking, pits and fissures are the tiny grooves on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth. Fissure sealant fills these grooves, and creates a layer of film isolating the teeth from bacteria and food debris. In this way, bacteria cannot go into the tooth through grooves and produce cavities.

Many parents who prefer small clinics because of the low cost usually suffer from such consequences as:

1. Teeth are decayed more easily as the sealant material falls off shortly after the placement.

Dental sealant procedure involves cleaning, etching, rinsing and drying, placing the sealant, hardening and examination. Failure in any one of the steps can change the final result. In particular, a dry, clean environment is needed for the sealant to adhere and work efficiently. Failing to do so may reduce the adhesion forces, resulting in the detachment of the sealant material. As a result, the teeth are decayed more easily.

2. The application of dental sealants may affect the temporomandibular joint.

Occlusal adjustment is required after the sealant application to ensure the normal relationship between the upper and lower teeth. In the case of lack of adjustment, the sealant material is distinctively higher than the occlusal surface. Over time, poor occlusion will cause wear of the teeth, or even temporomandibular arthritis.

Normally, proper application of dental sealants won’t damage the teeth, as the procedure is safe and non-toxic. But improper application may lead to various bad results. Therefore, when it comes to fissure sealant, don’t let the low price fool you. It is advisable to visit a professional dental hospital. Moreover, the regular price for fissure sealant ranges from 300 to 400 yuan.

Warm tips: dental sealants only reduce the risk of dental caries, which means it is still possible that tooth decay may occur after sealant application. So maintaining good oral hygiene and 1-2 follow-up visits per year are required after the procedure.