Q: How does a pit and fissure sealant work?
A: The terrain of your teeth, particularly the back ones that are designed for crushing and chewing food, is an uneven one. Pits and fissures characterize the back teeth. They're good for chewing, but also susceptible to cavities. The good news is that if cavities have not developed in the pits and fissures of molars by a person's late teens or early 20's, it's not likely that cavities will develop.
A protective measure available to you and your dentist during younger years is the application of a sealant to the pits and fissures during the first few years after molars erupt. The procedure is safe, simple and painless. The dentist will thoroughly dry the teeth and apply a layer of acid liquid that the dentist will etch slightly. Over that the dentist will apply a liquid plastic that will seep into the etching and harden. Some harden by themselves in less than a minute; others harden under a few seconds exposure to ultra-violet light.
In either case, the resulting seal is so effective that bacteria cannot enter the area. Talk with your dentist about the variety of options available to you for the protection of your teeth and those of your children.
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