What is a “pit and fissure”?
Pit and fissures refer to the grooves and gaps on the uneven surface of the molars in the oral cavity, which can increase the chewing area and increase the friction force, which is conducive to fully chewing the food. The fissures in the pit and fissures are sometimes deep and easy to accumulate caries-causing bacteria. Children’s brushing methods are usually hasty and careless, and it is not easy to clean them in place. Once bacteria invade the teeth, caries will occur, which will gradually damage the entire tooth and shorten the life of the tooth. My country’s survey on adolescent dental caries shows that more than 70%-80% of dental caries in children and adolescents occur in the pits and fissures of the teeth.
Pit and fissure sealing is to use a kind of organic polymer resin material that is harmless to the human body and synthesized by light curing. . Isolate the cariogenic factors in the oral environment from damaging the teeth and form a protective barrier to prevent bacteria and food residues from entering the pits and fissures, just like putting a layer of protective clothing and armor on the teeth.
Is pit and fissure sealing suitable for every child?
Not every child needs pit and fissure sealing. Therefore, before judging whether to do treatment, we must go to a professional stomatology department for a professional examination. If the child’s pits and fissures are found to be deep and have fissures, it is more suitable for pit and fissure sealing treatment, otherwise, no treatment is required. The treatment requirements for pit and fissure sealing are relatively high. Once the bacteria in the pit and fissures are not cleaned and directly sealed, it will be counterproductive, and the caries will be more serious.
Will pit and fissure sealing damage my child’s teeth?
Pit and fissure sealing does not damage the tooth tissue, but only applies the sealing material to the occlusal surface of the crown and the pit and fissures of the buccal and lingual surfaces to prevent the erosion of the tooth by cariogenic bacteria and acidic metabolites, thereby preventing pit and fissure caries. the goal of. The principle is that the liquid resin solidifies and hardens after entering the pits and fissures, forming a protective barrier that covers the pits and fissures, and the cariogenic bacteria outside can no longer enter, thus achieving the purpose of preventing pit and fissure caries. Pit and fissure closure is quick and painless.
Is it better to do pit and fissure sealing earlier?
Pit and fissure sealing is most suitable for deciduous teeth around 3 years old and permanent teeth around 6 years old.
Deciduous teeth: It is generally done on the primary molars. As for the appropriate time, according to the age of the erupted teeth, about 3 years old is more appropriate.
Permanent teeth: usually done on molars or abnormally developed incisors. However, the eruption time of a single individual’s permanent teeth is not uniform, and the eruption time of different individuals in the population is also different, so the sealing time is actually not uniform. The recommended time of pit and fissure sealing in children is usually around 6 years of age, and it is performed on children’s first permanent molars (sixth age teeth), because the incidence of caries is particularly high in the first permanent molars (sixth age teeth), On the other hand, children in this age group generally cannot maintain good oral hygiene, and pit and fissure sealing is of great significance to reduce the incidence of dental caries.
In addition, some children’s bicuspids and permanent anterior teeth have deep pits and fissures, and can also be sealed. Bicuspids can be carried out after the eruption of 9-12 years old. Except for the free pits and fissures of the first permanent molars of school-age children, to prevent dental caries In addition, for other teeth, if deeper pits and fissures can be found in time and sealed in time, it will also have a certain preventive significance for caries. As for the time, it is usually calculated according to the age of the tooth. This is not absolute. Adolescents, young adults, and adults, if the pits and fissures are deep, with less wear, and no caries, they can be closed if indicated.
Will I never get caries after a pit and fissure sealant?
Effective only for the prevention of pit and fissure caries. The so-called pit and fissure sealing is a health care measure to prevent the occurrence of pit and fissure caries by sealing the healthy, newly erupted, new permanent teeth or deciduous teeth with deep fissures by using sealants without damaging the teeth. However, this preventive effect is not 100% effective, and pit and fissure sealing is not a once and for all. Pit and fissure caries may still occur if the sealant wears or falls off. Secondly, the location of caries is not limited to pits and fissures. For children, the incidence of adjacent caries is not low, and pit and fissure sealing has no preventive significance for smooth caries, interproximal caries and root caries.
Pit and fissure sealing is only to reduce the probability of dental caries on the occlusal surface of the teeth. It is very important to develop good brushing habits to maintain oral hygiene. It is recommended that parents regularly observe their children’s teeth. . Pit and fissure sealing is only a small part of a child’s life-long cavity-free plan. Brushing, flossing, eating right, controlling snacks, and seeing your dentist regularly are important to your child’s healthy teeth.
Roughly how long will it take?
Medically, the oral cavity is divided into four areas: upper, lower, left, and right. If the child cooperates, the four areas can be completed at one time, and the time is not long. It only takes 20-30 minutes. Because the tooth tissue is not ground, there is no pain. , what needs the cooperation of the child is to open the mouth.
Do I need to recheck after closure?
Pit and fissure sealing is not a simple sealing. Usually, after the child is done, it is not recommended to chew with the same side teeth on the same day. Although the impact of chewing is not particularly large, it is still worried that chewing will affect the efficacy of the sealant. If both pits and fissures are sealed, it is recommended to take soft or liquid food on the same day.
Pit and fissure sealing materials cannot always accompany the tooth. After the pit and fissure is sealed, the tooth still needs to be checked regularly. Stomatologists recommend that regular review should be performed 3 months, half a year, a year and every year after sealing, to timely find out whether the sealant has fallen off, whether the edge is missing, whether there is suspicious caries, etc.
When it must need denture to decoration, dentist will ask technician in laboratory to product it’s according patient cases, technician will use extensive tools and equipment, the electric wax carver is included to warm the wax for wax-up on dentures. Except electric wax carver dental lab equipment, dental milling machine, dental lab scanner maybe also needed if patient need high cutting-edge restoration.
Biography: Mr tony xu runs a dental supply store(Dental Laboratorio), he also writes few clinical dentistry post whenever his task is done in dental laboratory and free time available.
