What are dental fissure sealants?

The grooves and pits on your teeth are called fissures. Tooth decay often starts in these fissures.

Dental fissure sealants are put on your teeth to protect them from tooth decay. The sealants fill up the grooves.

Fissure sealants are most commonly put on top of your molars. Molars are the big chewing teeth at the back of your mouth.

Fissure sealants are thin coatings that are like tooth filling material. Sometimes the sealant contains fluoride. Sealants can look white or clear.

What do dental fissure sealants do?

Sealants reduce how much food and bacteria sticks to the fissures in your teeth. This can help to stop tooth decay.

It can be hard to get all the food and bacteria from the deep grooves (fissures) in your teeth by brushing.

Food and bacteria that stay on teeth can cause tooth decay. This is when the teeth become weak and get holes in them.

When might I need fissure sealants?

This procedure is most often done in:

• children aged 6 years or older
• teenagers

Usually, sealants are put on just after the teeth have appeared in their mouth. Not all children need fissure sealants.

Some people have deep grooves or pits on their teeth. If this is the case, your dental professional might advise you to have fissure sealants.

Ask your dental professional how much dental fissure sealant treatment will cost.

What happens during a dental fissure sealants procedure?

Putting on fissure sealants is a simple procedure. It doesn't hurt.

It can be done by a:

• dentist
• dental hygienist
• oral health therapist

Your dental professional will:

• clean and dry your tooth
• prepare the tooth surface
• paint on the liquid fissure sealant
• use a strong light to harden the sealant
• check your bite and polish off any excess sealant

Some materials used for fissure sealants don't need a light to harden them.

No anaesthetic (pain medication) is needed.

What should I do after having dental fissure sealants?

After having a dental fissure sealant put on, you should clean your teeth as usual.

Your teeth should now be easier to clean. This is because the teeth are smoother without deep grooves.

What are the benefits and risks of dental fissure sealants?

Sealants are a simple and effective way to reduce tooth decay. They give your teeth extra protection from decay. They cover grooves and pits that are hard to brush.

There are no common risks with getting dental fissure sealants.

Chewing can wear down the sealant. This can happen over time. Sometimes a sealant needs to be replaced.

Your dental professional will check the fissure sealant when you have your regular dental check-up.

What can I do instead of getting dental fissure sealants?

Fluoride varnish can be put on your teeth on a regular basis. This is another way to help stop tooth decay.

Ask your dental professional about fluoride varnish.

Resources and support

Find out more about how to care for your teeth at Teeth.org.au.

Find out how fluoride can help protect your teeth from decay.

Mob Smiles has resources and articles for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.