• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future HomepageThe Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future

Stop Caries NOW for a Cavity-Free Future

  • Log in
  • Latest
  • Contact
  • Join us
  • English
    • Français
    • Español
  • Home
  • About Us
    • The ACFF Story
    • ACFF Mission
    • ACFF Global Team
    • Partners
  • Chapters
  • WCFFDay
    • About World Cavity-Free Future Day
    • How Can I Get Involved?
    • Resources for Families
    • WCFF Day 2020
  • Policy
  • Resources
    • ICCMS™ and CariesCare International
    • Cariology Curricula
    • Reference Materials
      • Atraumatic Restorative Therapy
      • Dietary Counselling
      • Fluoride Gels
      • Fluoride Mouth Rinse
      • Fluoride Supplements
      • Fluoride Toothpaste
      • Fluoride Varnish
      • High Fluoride Toothpastes
      • Milk Fluoridation
      • Minimally Invasive Dentistry
      • Patient Education (Individual Level)
      • Pit and Fissure Sealants
      • Risk Assessment
      • Salt Fluoridation
      • Silver Diamine Fluoride
      • Water Fluoridation
    • For Patients
    • Students
  • Join Us
  • ICCMS™ and CariesCare International
  • Cariology Curricula
  • Reference Materials
  • For Patients
  • Students

Pit and Fissure Sealants


Overview

Sealants are either resin-based materials or glass ionomer cements applied to the occlusal (biting) surface of the posterior teeth, covering the pits and fissures that are susceptible to decay. They are primarily intended for use on young, permanent teeth. Sealants can also be used as treatments for non-cavitated carious lesions located in the enamel or in the superficial part of the dentin.

Use and Applications

Pit and fissure sealants are professional, ‘in office’ treatments which require good patient cooperation. For resin-based sealants, the tooth must be thoroughly cleaned and dried prior to application. After etching of the enamel, sealants are applied in a thin layer and cured by visible light before the occlusion is checked. Glass ionomer cements are less sensitive to moisture and require no etching of the enamel.

Effectiveness and Efficacy

Pit and fissure sealants are effective in preventing caries in permanent molars provided that the sealants are regularly controlled and repaired when needed. The preventive fraction is 71% up to five years after placement with a moderate quality of evidence [1]. The prevented fraction is lower in primary molars. Glass ionomer sealants are equally as effective in caries prevention, however require greater maintenance due to an impaired retention rate [2].

Safety

Pit and fissure sealants are available from several brands and are generally recognized as safe. Patients may however be allergic to uncured leaking monomers from the material.

Cost Effectiveness

The use of pit and fissure sealants is the most time consuming professional preventive measure and does not pay off in low-caries populations. Sealants may be cost-effective for individuals who are at high risk of caries [3]. The cost of sealant programs is decreased when performed by dental hygienists.

Recommendations

Pit and fissure sealants are recommended for children who are at a moderate or high risk of developing dental caries, or have early caries lesions in pits and fissures.


Key Further Reading

1. Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth.

Ahovuo-Saloranta A, Forss H, Walsh T, Nordblad A, Mäkelä M, Worthington HV. Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jul 31;7:CD001830.

Access

2. Glass ionomer cements as fissure sealing materials: yes or no?: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alirezaei M, Bagherian A, Sarraf Shirazi A. Glass ionomer cements as fissure sealing materials: yes or no?: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Dent Assoc. 2018 Jul;149(7):640-649.e9.

Access

3- Economic evaluation of dental sealants: A systematic literature review.

Akinlotan M, Chen B, Fontanilla TM, Chen A, Fan VY. Economic evaluation of dental sealants: A systematic literature review. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2018 Feb;46(1):38-46.

Access

Guidance Document

ACFF Members can download the full reference document for Pit and Fissure Sealants.

Access

Primary Sidebar

Guidance Documents

  • Atraumatic Restorative Therapy
  • Dietary Counselling
  • Fluoride Gels
  • Fluoride Mouth Rinse
  • Fluoride Supplements
  • Fluoride Toothpaste
  • Fluoride Varnish
  • High Fluoride Toothpastes
  • Milk Fluoridation
  • Minimally Invasive Dentistry
  • Pit and Fissure Sealants
  • Risk Assessment
  • Salt Fluoridation
  • Silver Diamine Fluoride
  • Water Fluoridation

Footer

Contact us

Phone: +44 207 848 8481

Standard office hours are 09:00-17:00 GMT Monday to Friday. We observe UK holidays.

Email: admin@acffglobal.org

Global Office: The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future, Floor 17, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom

Quicklinks

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Chapters
  • WCFFDay
  • Policy
  • Resources
  • Join Us

The Alliance for a Cavity Free Future

Registered Office: 14 City Quay, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 3JA.
Registered Charity number: SC044174 | ©2021 Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future
Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Membership Terms

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. By clicking any link on this page your are giving your consent for us to set cookies.OkPrivacy policy