Fissure seals are a preventive treatment applied to the grooves of back teeth to prevent decay entering into the tooth. Fissure seals are tooth coloured and designed to make the biting surface of our teeth smooth and prevent large holes developing in our teeth. Commonly, as teeth erupt into our mouth from the age of six years onwards we place fissure seals in our teeth.
Before we place a fissure seal on a tooth at Smile Artistry™ we use either the WaterlaseTM Laser Unit or Air Abrasion Unit to clean the tooth and remove any staining from the fissures (grooves).
The WaterlaseTM Laser is a device used to clean the surface of teeth and remove any decayed or stained tooth structure. The WaterlaseTM Laser can effectively in most cases perform this procedure without any needles because it does not create heat, and thus patients will not feel discomfort. The tip of the Laser means that our Dentists are able to create a micro-preparation of the tooth, far more conservative than what a drill could perform.
Air Abrasion is a micro-abrasive tool that has the ability to remove decay from a tooth more effectively and conservatively than the traditional drill. Alike the Laser, generally no local anaesthetic is required, so no needles. The Air Abrasion works by blowing a stream of powerful air mixed with minute sand particles. The particles are suctioned from the mouth. Because air abrasion cuts tooth surfaces with great precision, it removes less tooth material than the drill and it reduces the risk of enamel micro fracturing, preserving more of your tooth. Besides removing decay, air abrasion works well in procedures ranging from repairing chipped, fractured or worn teeth, preparing teeth for cosmetic surgery, removing stains and spots, repairing old fillings and sealants and repairing broken crowns and bridges.
In particular circumstances the WaterlaseTM Laser or Air Abrasion Unit maybe more suited for the treatment.
A picture of a tooth before and after fissure sealants are placed is shown here.
BEFORE
AFTER
