Fissure Sealants for Children only? | Southport Park Family Dental

If you have only ever heard of fissure sealants being applied to children’s back teeth, you might assume they are no longer an option once you reach adulthood.

That is not necessarily the case.

Fissure sealants are often associated with children because they are commonly considered soon after the permanent molars erupt. At that stage, the grooves in these teeth can be deep and difficult to clean, making them more likely to trap food and bacteria.

However, fissure sealants are not exclusively for children.

Fissure sealants for adults may still be suitable in certain circumstances, particularly when a person has deep grooves in their molars that are difficult to keep clean. According to Healthdirect Australia’s information about dental fissure sealants, people with deep grooves or pits in their teeth may be advised by a dental professional to consider sealants.

In other words, age is not the only factor that matters. The shape, condition and decay risk of the individual tooth are important considerations.

Here is what to know before ruling fissure sealants out as an adult.

What Do Fissure Sealants Actually Do?

The chewing surfaces of your back teeth are not perfectly flat.

If you look closely at a molar, you will notice small grooves, pits and uneven areas. These are natural parts of the tooth’s anatomy. They help with chewing, but they can also create small spaces where food debris and bacteria may collect.

These grooves are known as fissures.

In some people, the fissures are relatively shallow and easy to clean. In others, they can be deep, narrow or irregular. When this happens, toothbrush bristles may not easily reach the deepest parts of the grooves.

A fissure sealant is a thin protective material placed over these pits and fissures.

The sealant covers the grooves, helping to reduce the amount of food and bacteria that can become trapped in areas that are difficult to clean. The Australian Dental Association’s information about fissure sealants explains that sealants are used to cover deep grooves and help reduce the risk of tooth decay developing in these areas.

Sealants do not strengthen the entire tooth or replace good oral hygiene. Instead, they provide additional protection to particular grooves that may be more difficult to keep clean.

This is why sealing deep tooth grooves may sometimes be considered regardless of age.

The more useful question is not simply, “Is the patient a child?”

It is, “Is this tooth healthy and does it have pits or fissures that could benefit from sealing?”

Why Are Fissure Sealants So Common in Children?

Fissure sealants are commonly associated with children because timing can be important.

When a child’s permanent molars first erupt, the chewing surfaces may contain deep grooves that have not been worn down through years of use. These areas can also be difficult for children to clean effectively while they are still developing their brushing habits.

Applying a sealant to an appropriate tooth can therefore be considered as a preventive measure.

The aim is to protect susceptible pits and fissures before tooth decay develops. This is one reason many people first hear about fissure sealants as part of children’s dental care.

However, this association can create the impression that sealants become irrelevant in adulthood.

That is not necessarily true.

Some adults never had fissure sealants placed when they were younger. Others may have had sealants that have since worn down or become damaged. Some adults also have naturally deep pits and fissures that remain difficult to clean effectively.

In these situations, fissure sealants may still be worth discussing with a dentist.

Why Might Adults Be Suitable for Fissure Sealants?

Many adults have molars with deep grooves that were never sealed.

Sometimes sealants were not considered when they were younger. In other cases, the tooth may not have appeared to need additional protection at the time.

Adults who previously had sealants may also find that the material gradually wears or chips through normal chewing.

That does not automatically mean another sealant is needed. Instead, the tooth should be assessed to determine whether the existing sealant remains intact, whether the fissures have become exposed, and whether there are any signs of decay.

Preventive dental care for adults is not only about treating problems after they occur. It can also involve identifying areas that may be more difficult to clean and considering preventive measures where clinically appropriate.

An adult may be considered for fissure sealants when:

A molar has particularly deep or narrow pits and fissures
The grooves are difficult to keep clean
Food regularly becomes trapped in the chewing surface
The tooth is considered at increased risk of developing decay in its fissures
An existing sealant has worn, chipped or come away and needs assessment
A dentist identifies a suitable tooth during a routine examination

Suitability depends on the condition of each individual tooth.

Fissure sealants should not be applied as a blanket treatment simply because someone has deep grooves. One tooth may benefit from sealing while another may not require it.

A dentist needs to examine the tooth, assess the fissures and check for signs of existing decay before recommending treatment.

What Do Fissure Sealants Not Replace?

Fissure sealants can provide additional protection, but they do not replace the fundamentals of good oral care.

They are not a substitute for:

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Cleaning between the teeth
Maintaining a balanced diet
Regular dental examinations
Professional dental care when a problem is identified

A sealant covers the pits and fissures on the chewing surface of a tooth. It does not protect every surface from tooth decay.

Decay may still develop between teeth, near the gumline or in other areas that are not covered by the sealant.

Sealants also require monitoring. They can wear or chip over time, which is why they should be checked during routine dental appointments.

If decay is suspected or already present, the dentist will need to assess its location and extent before deciding on the appropriate treatment. Depending on the individual tooth, a sealant may not be suitable and another form of treatment may be recommended.

Healthdirect also provides information about tooth decay prevention and treatment, including regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth and attending dental check-ups.

How Are Fissure Sealants Applied?

Applying a fissure sealant is generally a relatively simple dental procedure.

For a standard fissure sealant, local anaesthetic is usually not required because the material is applied to the surface of the tooth rather than placed inside it.

The process commonly involves the following steps.

1. Cleaning the Tooth

The tooth is cleaned so that plaque and debris are removed from the chewing surface.

2. Keeping the Tooth Dry

The tooth needs to remain dry while the sealant is applied because moisture can interfere with how well some sealant materials bond to the tooth.

Cotton rolls, suction or other isolation methods may be used to keep the area dry.

3. Preparing the Surface

The tooth surface is prepared according to the type of sealant being used. This helps the material bond effectively.

4. Applying the Sealant

The sealant material is placed into the pits and fissures of the tooth, covering areas that can be difficult to reach with toothbrush bristles.

5. Hardening the Material

Many sealant materials are hardened using a curing light, although the exact technique depends on the material being used.

6. Checking the Bite

Your dentist or dental professional may check how your teeth come together to make sure the sealed tooth does not feel unusually high when you bite.

The exact procedure can vary depending on the tooth, the sealant material and your individual circumstances.

What Do Sealants Feel Like Afterwards?

Once a sealant has been placed, the tooth may feel slightly different at first.

Some people notice the sealed area when they initially bite together, particularly when the original grooves were deep.

If the tooth feels unusually high, uncomfortable or uneven when you bite, let your dental professional know so the area can be checked.

Once you have adjusted to the sealant, it generally sits within the natural grooves of the back tooth and should not interfere with normal cleaning.

You should continue brushing and cleaning between your teeth as recommended.

How Long Do Fissure Sealants Last?

Fissure sealants are not necessarily permanent.

Normal chewing can gradually wear the material over time. A sealant may also chip or partially come away, which is why ongoing dental checks are important.

How long an individual sealant remains intact can vary according to factors such as:

The tooth being treated
The sealant material used
The way your teeth come together
Chewing forces
Teeth grinding or clenching
How well the material remains bonded to the tooth

During a routine dental examination, your dentist can check whether the sealant remains intact and whether it needs monitoring, repair, replacement or no further treatment.

A sealant should therefore be viewed as part of ongoing preventive dental care rather than something that can simply be placed and forgotten.

Why Do Adults Often Not Ask About Fissure Sealants?

Many adults do not ask about fissure sealants because they assume they have missed the appropriate age for treatment.

They may associate sealants with school dental visits or believe there is little point considering preventive treatment once a tooth has been in the mouth for many years.

However, some adult teeth continue to have deep pits and fissures that are difficult to clean.

A person may have a good brushing routine but still find that food repeatedly collects in the grooves of a particular molar. Situations like this may be worth discussing during a dental examination.

Another reason adults may overlook fissure sealants is that people sometimes think about dental treatment mainly when a tooth becomes painful, damaged or visibly decayed.

Fissure sealants are different because they are preventive. When clinically appropriate, they are considered to help protect susceptible grooves before more extensive treatment becomes necessary.

Talking to Your Dentist About Fissure Sealants

If you have a molar that regularly traps food or has grooves that seem particularly difficult to clean, mention it at your next appointment.

You do not need to decide for yourself whether a sealant is appropriate.

That is what the dental assessment is for.

At Southport Park Family Dental, fissure sealants may be considered as part of preventive dental care for both younger and adult patients when clinically appropriate.

The dental team at Southport Park Family Dental can examine the tooth, assess the depth and condition of its fissures, look for signs of decay and discuss whether sealing the tooth or another approach may be appropriate.

Sometimes a sealant may be recommended. In other circumstances, monitoring or another form of treatment may be more suitable.

The recommendation depends on the individual tooth and your overall oral health.

The Short Answer: Are Fissure Sealants Only for Children?

No. Fissure sealants are not only for children.

They are commonly used in children and teenagers because newly erupted permanent molars can have deep pits and fissures that are difficult to clean. However, adults may also be suitable for fissure sealants in certain circumstances.

What matters most is the condition and shape of the individual tooth.

If a healthy tooth has deep grooves that are difficult to clean and is considered suitable for sealing, a dentist may discuss fissure sealants as a preventive option.

If decay or another dental problem is already present, different treatment may be required.

If you are in Southport and would like to know whether fissure sealants may be suitable for you or your child, you can contact Southport Park Family Dental to arrange a dental assessment.

FAQs

Can adults get fissure sealants even if they never had them as a child?

Yes, adults can sometimes have fissure sealants. Suitability depends more on the condition, shape and decay risk of the individual tooth than on age alone. If a tooth is suitable for sealing and has deep grooves that are difficult to clean, a dentist may recommend a fissure sealant after assessing it.

Do fissure sealants replace brushing and flossing?

No. Fissure sealants provide additional protection to pits and grooves on certain tooth surfaces, but they do not protect the entire tooth. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth and attending regular dental check-ups remain important.

How do I know if my molars have deep grooves?

A dentist can assess the pits and fissures of your molars during a dental examination. Deep or narrow grooves can be difficult to evaluate yourself, and the dentist can also check whether the tooth is healthy and suitable for sealing.

Are adult dental sealants noticeable once applied?

Fissure sealants are generally placed within the grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, so they are usually not very noticeable during everyday activities. The tooth may initially feel slightly different, but your dental professional can check the bite after placement.

How often should fissure sealants be checked?

Fissure sealants can be checked during regular dental examinations. Your dentist can assess whether the material remains intact or has worn, chipped or come away, and determine whether repair or replacement is appropriate.

Are Fissure Sealants Only for Children?