Fissure Sealant Tooth

A fissure sealant, sometimes called a dental sealant, is a thin protective material placed into the natural pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth. It is most commonly used on permanent molars, where deep fissures can be difficult to clean effectively and are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay.

Sealants create a physical barrier over these grooves, making it harder for dental plaque and food debris to accumulate directly within them. They are particularly useful for children and teenagers after permanent molars erupt, although adults and even selected primary teeth may also benefit when the individual risk of decay makes treatment worthwhile.

Glow Dental provides fissure sealants as part of its children’s preventive dental care in Battersea, with treatment planned according to the condition and caries risk of each tooth rather than automatically sealing every patient.

What Are Pits and Fissures?

The chewing surfaces of molars and some premolars are not flat. They contain raised cusps separated by natural grooves known as pits and fissures.

These grooves help the teeth break down food but can sometimes be extremely narrow and deep. Toothbrush bristles may not penetrate effectively to the very bottom of a deep fissure, which allows plaque to remain in an area even when the visible tooth surface appears clean.

This is why decay affecting the chewing surface of a molar often begins within a pit or fissure.

What Does a Fissure Sealant Do?

A fissure sealant flows into the pits and grooves and hardens to form a protective covering over them.

The aim is to create a surface that is easier to keep clean and to isolate vulnerable fissures from the oral environment.

Resin-based sealants have longstanding evidence supporting their ability to prevent pit-and-fissure decay. Current UK preventive guidance reports moderate-certainty evidence that resin sealants can prevent and arrest dental caries compared with leaving vulnerable fissures unsealed.

Who Should Have Fissure Sealants?

Not everyone automatically needs fissure sealants. The dentist considers the anatomy of the tooth together with the patient’s individual risk of developing tooth decay.

Sealants may be particularly useful when:

• A newly erupted permanent molar has deep pits and fissures
• A child has previously developed dental cavities
• Other permanent teeth show early signs of decay
• Effective cleaning of the fissures is difficult
• The patient’s diet or fluoride exposure increases their caries risk
• A medical, developmental or behavioural condition makes oral hygiene particularly challenging

Current UK guidance recommends considering all relevant individual factors rather than assuming either that every tooth should be sealed or that only children classified as “high risk” can benefit.

What Age Should Children Have Fissure Sealants?

Fissure sealants are often considered when the first and second permanent molars erupt.

The first permanent molars usually appear at around six years of age, while second permanent molars generally emerge later during early adolescence. Individual timing varies.

Where a dentist decides that sealants are appropriate, current UK guidance recommends placing them as soon as the permanent molars have erupted sufficiently for the tooth to be properly isolated and treated.

Regular children’s dental examinations allow the dentist to monitor eruption and decide whether sealants would provide a useful additional layer of prevention.

If you have a younger child, our guide to when children should first see a dentist explains why preventive dental care begins well before the adult molars appear.

Can Adults Have Fissure Sealants?

Yes. Although the strongest evidence and most common use is in children and adolescents, adults can also have sealants where an intact permanent tooth has deep, decay-prone fissures and the dentist considers sealing clinically useful.

The decision should be based on the condition of the tooth and future caries risk rather than age alone.

An adult with shallow, easily cleaned fissures and a consistently low risk of decay may gain little from having every molar sealed.

Can Baby Teeth Have Fissure Sealants?

Yes, in selected circumstances.

Sealants are primarily associated with permanent molars, but current caries-management guidance also allows sealing of susceptible pits and fissures in primary molars when this is likely to benefit the child.

This may be particularly useful when there is an early non-cavitated lesion or when the child’s overall risk of tooth decay is increased.

Can a Fissure Sealant Be Put Over Early Tooth Decay?

Yes, in carefully selected cases. One of the most useful developments in modern preventive dentistry is recognition that an early, non-cavitated pit-and-fissure caries lesion does not necessarily need to be drilled and filled.

If the tooth surface is still sufficiently intact, completely sealing the lesion can isolate it from the oral environment and help stop or significantly slow its progression.

Current evidence-based guidelines support sealants for preventing and arresting non-cavitated occlusal caries lesions.

The important distinction is whether the lesion is suitable for sealing. A tooth with substantial cavitation or structural breakdown may instead need a dental filling or another restorative treatment.

Is a Fissure Sealant the Same as a Filling?

No. A preventive fissure sealant is normally placed onto an intact or minimally affected tooth surface to protect vulnerable grooves.

A filling is used when enough tooth structure has been damaged by decay or another problem that restoration is required.

Fissure Sealant	Dental Filling
Primarily preventive or used to seal selected early lesions	Restores tooth structure damaged by decay or fracture
Usually requires no drilling for routine preventive placement	May require management or removal of diseased tooth structure
Flows into natural pits and fissures	Rebuilds a damaged area of the tooth
Usually a relatively thin layer	Often replaces a larger volume of tooth structure

If a cavity has already formed, Glow Dental provides tooth-coloured composite fillings where appropriate.

How Is a Fissure Sealant Applied?

Routine preventive fissure sealing is normally quick and does not require an injection or drilling.

1. The Tooth Is Examined

The dentist first confirms that the surface is suitable for sealing and checks for evidence of existing decay.

2. The Fissures Are Cleaned

Visible plaque and debris are removed so that the sealant can make reliable contact with the enamel.

3. The Tooth Is Kept Dry

Moisture control is particularly important with resin sealants. Saliva contamination can interfere with bonding and increase the chance that the sealant will be lost.

4. The Enamel Is Prepared

A conditioning or etching gel is applied briefly to the enamel. This creates microscopic surface changes that allow the resin to bond securely.

5. Sealant Is Applied

The liquid sealant is carefully flowed into the pits and fissures.

6. The Material Is Hardened

Most resin sealants are hardened using a blue dental curing light.

7. The Seal Is Checked

The dentist checks that all intended fissures are covered, that the material is securely attached and that there is no unwanted excess interfering with the bite.

Does Getting Fissure Sealants Hurt?

Routine fissure sealant application should not be painful.

The standard preventive procedure does not involve drilling into the tooth or injecting local anaesthetic.

The main challenge for younger children is usually keeping the mouth open and the tooth dry while the material is being placed.

Glow Dental’s children’s dental team aims to introduce treatment gradually and help younger patients become comfortable with dental visits.

What Types of Fissure Sealant Are Used?

Resin-Based Sealants

Resin-based materials are generally the first choice when the tooth can be adequately isolated and kept dry.

Current evidence shows good caries-preventive effectiveness and better retention than glass-ionomer materials.

Glass-Ionomer Sealants

Glass-ionomer materials tolerate moisture better and can release fluoride.

They can be useful when a tooth has only partly erupted or when achieving sufficiently dry conditions for resin placement is difficult.

They generally do not remain physically retained as reliably as resin sealants, so they may sometimes be used as an interim measure until conditions allow a definitive resin sealant.

How Effective Are Fissure Sealants?

There is substantial evidence that properly placed resin fissure sealants reduce decay on vulnerable chewing surfaces.

UK evidence-based guidance concludes that resin sealants are effective at preventing and arresting caries compared with leaving permanent teeth unsealed, with evidence of benefit extending to at least four years.

The effectiveness of a sealant depends heavily on retention. A sealant cannot continue protecting a fissure that has become exposed because the material has worn or detached.

How Long Do Fissure Sealants Last?

There is no fixed lifespan.

A well-placed resin sealant can remain intact for several years, but sealants gradually wear and can occasionally become partially or completely detached.

This is not necessarily a treatment failure. Sealants are designed to be monitored and maintained.

Current clinical guidance recommends checking their integrity during recall examinations and repairing or “topping up” areas where enough material has been lost to expose the underlying fissure.

Do Fissure Sealants Need to Be Replaced?

Sometimes.

If a sealant is completely intact and continues to cover the susceptible fissures, no additional treatment may be necessary.

If only part of the material has worn away, the dentist may be able to repair or add more sealant rather than removing everything and starting again.

Regular dental examinations allow existing sealants to be checked for wear, leakage or loss.

Can You Get a Cavity Under a Fissure Sealant?

A correctly sealed non-cavitated lesion can be arrested because the seal cuts off the lesion from the oral environment.

Problems can arise if a sealant becomes partially lost or leaks and the exposed fissure is not identified and maintained.

This is why placing a fissure sealant should not be viewed as a one-off treatment that never needs checking again.

Are Fissure Sealants Better Than Fluoride?

It is not really a case of choosing one or the other.

Fluoride and fissure sealants protect teeth in different ways.

Fluoride toothpaste and professionally applied fluoride varnish help make tooth mineral more resistant to caries and support remineralisation, while sealants create a physical barrier over particularly vulnerable pits and fissures.

Current guidance supports fluoride varnish for children and recommends additional fissure sealing according to tooth anatomy and individual caries risk.

A fissure sealant therefore does not replace brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

Our toothpaste guide explains the appropriate role of fluoride in everyday dental care.

Do Fissure Sealants Replace Brushing?

No. Sealants protect only the surfaces they cover.

A sealed molar can still develop decay between the teeth, close to the gumline or on another unsealed surface.

Children and adults should continue to:

• Brush thoroughly twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Spit after brushing rather than immediately rinsing with water
• Clean between the teeth appropriately
• Limit how frequently sugary foods and drinks are consumed
• Attend dental reviews according to individual need

Can Fissure Sealants Fall Out?

Yes. Partial or complete loss can occur, particularly if moisture contaminated the tooth during placement or as the material gradually wears during function.

You may not notice that a small area of sealant has been lost, which is another reason professional monitoring is useful.

Where appropriate, the exposed area can usually be resealed.

Can You Eat Normally After Fissure Sealants?

Light-cured resin sealants are already hardened when you leave the dental chair, so normal eating can generally resume immediately unless your dental team gives you different instructions.

The tooth may initially feel slightly different because the tongue is extremely sensitive to small changes in surface texture, but this sensation usually becomes unnoticeable quickly.

Are Fissure Sealants Safe?

Dental sealants have been used for decades and are considered an established preventive dental treatment.

As with any dental material, the clinician should use an appropriate product according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the individual patient’s clinical circumstances.

There is no good reason to avoid a clinically indicated fissure sealant because of generalised concerns about resin dental materials.

Do All Children Need Their Molars Sealed?

Not necessarily.

Current UK guidance has moved towards a more individualised approach. Dentists should consider factors such as tooth anatomy, previous decay, fluoride exposure, oral-hygiene ability, diet and the child’s overall risk of developing caries.

Some children will gain substantial preventive benefit from sealing all susceptible permanent molars. In others, fluoride varnish, effective home care and monitoring may be sufficient.

The decision should therefore be made after examining the individual child rather than simply sealing every molar because it has erupted.

How Much Do Fissure Sealants Cost at Glow Dental?

Glow Dental’s current private fee for a fissure sealant is £90 per tooth.

Children’s new-patient and recall examinations are currently £60, allowing the dentist to assess tooth development, caries risk and whether preventive treatments such as sealants are appropriate.

Prices may change, so always check the current Glow Dental fee guide before treatment.

Are Fissure Sealants Free for Children on the NHS?

Clinically necessary preventive treatments such as fissure sealants can be provided as part of NHS dental care for children where appropriate.

NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 and for eligible young people under 19 who are in full-time education.

Glow Dental is a private practice, so its private fees apply. For a broader explanation, read our guide to whether dental treatment is free for children in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fissure Sealants

What is a fissure sealant?

A fissure sealant is a thin protective material placed over susceptible pits and grooves, usually on molar chewing surfaces, to help prevent dental caries.

Do fissure sealants require drilling?

Routine preventive fissure sealing normally does not require drilling. The enamel is cleaned, conditioned and sealed. A tooth with an established cavity may require different treatment.

Do fissure sealants need an injection?

Routine preventive sealant placement does not normally require local anaesthetic because tooth tissue is not being drilled away.

Can you seal a tooth that has started to decay?

Yes, selected non-cavitated pit-and-fissure caries lesions can be sealed. Evidence shows that effectively sealing these early lesions can help arrest their progression. Cavitated lesions need individual assessment.

Which teeth normally get fissure sealants?

Permanent molars are the most common teeth to seal because of their deep chewing-surface anatomy. Other permanent or primary teeth can also be sealed where their pits or fissures are considered particularly vulnerable.

How long do fissure sealants last?

They can remain effective for several years, but longevity varies. Sealants should be checked during dental reviews and repaired or topped up if they become worn or partially lost.

Can adults get fissure sealants?

Yes. Adults with suitable decay-free or early non-cavitated fissures may benefit, although the strongest evidence and most common preventive use is in children and adolescents.

Can teeth still decay after having sealants?

Yes. Sealants protect only the surfaces they cover. Decay can still develop elsewhere on the tooth, particularly if plaque control, fluoride exposure or diet is poor.

Are fissure sealants better than fillings?

They perform different jobs. A sealant aims to prevent or arrest suitable early fissure lesions before extensive tooth structure is lost. A filling restores a tooth after a cavity or other structural damage requires restoration.

Fissure Sealants for Children at Glow Dental

Glow Dental provides children’s dentistry in Battersea with an emphasis on prevention and helping children establish good oral-health habits from an early age.

During a children’s dental examination, the dentist can check newly erupting permanent molars, assess the depth of their fissures and consider the child’s wider risk of tooth decay.

Where appropriate, fissure sealants can be used alongside fluoride toothpaste, dietary advice and other preventive measures rather than waiting for a cavity to develop and require a filling.

Glow Dental also provides children’s hygiene care where additional plaque-control support is useful.

If your child is new to the practice, you can learn more about joining Glow Dental, view our current children’s dental fees or contact Glow Dental to arrange an appointment.

Conclusion: Are Fissure Sealants Worth Having?

Fissure sealants are an effective preventive treatment for susceptible pits and grooves, particularly in newly erupted permanent molars. They can reduce the risk of decay and can even help arrest selected early non-cavitated lesions when the fissure is completely sealed.

They are not automatically necessary for every tooth or every patient, and they do not replace fluoride toothpaste, good brushing, an appropriate diet or dental monitoring. Their success also depends on the material remaining intact, so existing sealants should be checked and repaired when necessary.

If you are unsure whether you or your child would benefit, a dental examination at Glow Dental can assess the tooth anatomy and individual caries risk before recommending treatment.