Sealing of Tooth Fissures

Sealing fissures in children in Kyiv is a fairly common procedure. It aims to fill the grooves and depressions (fissures) on the chewing surfaces of permanent teeth, especially molars. Its goal is to prevent caries development in these vulnerable tooth areas. With jewelers’ precision, without pain or fear, it is performed by children’s dentists at the private clinic ID Dent. Let us briefly tell you about the features of this procedure.

Why do children need fissure sealing?

The main milk teeth, and later permanent ones, erupt at seven years of age and later. Fissures on the chewing surfaces of these teeth can be deep and unevenly structured, making them difficult to clean with a toothbrush. This can lead to bacteria and food residue accumulation in these areas, increasing the risk of caries development.

Children’s fissure sealing is an effective caries prevention method. It helps protect teeth from caries development in hard-to-reach places and can significantly reduce the likelihood of needing dental treatment in the future. This procedure is usually performed on milk and permanent molars in children aged seven and older, when teeth have fully emerged and are ready for sealing.

Indications for fissure sealing in children

Milk molars and premolars are replaced by permanent ones in children at 6-7 years. It is usually at this age that people resort to the fissure sealing procedure. Indications for children’s procedures include:

• a high risk of fissure caries development. If the child has an increased caries risk, such as due to the teeth’s structural features, genetic predisposition, poor hygiene habits, or high sugar consumption, sealing can help prevent caries;
• the presence of carious spots or caries on lateral surfaces, sealing is done after treatment;
• deep fissure pits. If teeth have deep fissures that can harbor bacteria and food remnants, sealing helps fill these areas and reduce caries risk;
• new molars. Sealing is usually performed on new molars immediately after eruption to protect them from caries in early stages;
• patients with poor hygiene. Children who may have difficulties maintaining good oral hygiene may benefit from sealing for additional tooth protection.

Sealing fissures of milk teeth is an effective measure to prevent caries in children, which may be recommended for the above indications.

Contraindications

In general, this is a completely safe procedure, but it is not recommended in several cases. Contraindications include:

• insufficient depth of fissures;
• presence of caries (it must be treated first);
• unsatisfactory tooth condition;
• inability to properly isolate the tooth area;
• allergy to materials.

Decision-making about children’s manipulation should be individualized and based on diagnosis and dental consultation. The dentist considers the condition of the teeth, patient needs, and other factors to determine if this procedure is suitable for a particular situation.

Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

Sealing children’s permanent teeth has both pros and cons. The main advantages of the procedure include: 

• fissure caries prevention, the sealing contributes to preventing caries development on tooth chewing surfaces, especially on molars;
• safety and painlessness. The procedure is almost painless and does not require general anesthesia; 
• conservation of tooth tissue. The method does not require removal of tooth tissue, unlike caries treatment. Thus, it helps preserve healthy teeth;
• speed and convenience. The technique usually takes a little time and can be performed at the dentist’s office during a single appointment.
  
  

However, for objectivity, disadvantages of the procedure need to be mentioned:

• temporary nature, it may require periodic repetition;
• need for proper care. After sealing fissures, children should continue caring for their teeth to prevent caries development in other areas;
• not suitable for everyone. Fissure sealing is most effective in children at high risk for caries on tooth chewing surfaces.

Additionally, complications are possible, although rare. Complications after fissure sealing may include caries development under the sealed layer or material peeling—if the doctor did not follow the procedure protocol. However, there are more advantages than disadvantages to sealing fissures!

Preparation for fissure sealing

Before sealing, thorough diagnostics, collection of anamnesis, visual inspection, and instrumental methods (x-rays) are performed. The dentist performs a deep professional cleaning of plaque and tartar.

How is it conducted?

Sealing back fissures is of two types:

• non-invasive – does not require removal of healthy tissues, and can be conducted quickly and painlessly. The method effectively prevents caries. For non-invasive techniques, special sealing materials, usually composite resins, are used, which are applied to the tooth’s surface without removing or interfering with healthy tissues; 
• invasive (therapeutic) – the dentist removes part of the affected tissue from the fissure before applying the sealant. Invasive sealing is suitable when fissures contain carious parts and allows more thorough cleaning and tooth preparation for sealing.

At the ID Dent dental clinic, both types of procedures are performed, but non-invasive sealing is recommended for children. Invasive sealing is used for significant tooth damage. 

Stages of fissure sealing for children

Sealing children’s fissures is a simple procedure, but it requires clear adherence to the algorithm. Generally, it can be divided into 4 main stages:

1. Preparation. The dentist first cleans teeth’s chewing surfaces to remove bacteria and food residues;
2. Acid application. The special acid is then applied to the fissures, which helps create a micro-relief on the tooth’s surface, so the sealing material adheres better;
3. Sealant application. After rinsing and drying, a composite sealing material is applied to the tooth’s surface. This material quickly hardens under light, forming a dense coating on the tooth’s chewing surface;
4. Check and correction. The dentist thoroughly checks the sealing quality and makes corrections if necessary to ensure perfect material adherence to the tooth.

Fissure sealing in children usually takes no more than 20 minutes per tooth. One dental appointment is enough for the procedure. 

How is the price for fissure sealing in children in Kyiv at ID Dent determined?

Prices for children’s fissure sealing in Kyiv are primarily based on objective factors. The dentist will first conduct diagnostics, assess the case’s complexity, and then determine the price for the specific situation. Nevertheless, you can be sure that the cost is affordable—ID Dent dental center has a democratic pricing policy. 

Our doctors are qualified and attentive specialists who can treat the most challenging cases and relate to children. Schedule treatment, preventive check-up, consultation, or other services by phone now.

Our dental clinic is located on Kyiv’s Left Bank, in the Lesnoy massif. Nearby landmarks include the Lesnaya and Chernigovskaya metro stations. We look forward to welcoming you to our clinic—we offer a full range of services.