Fissure Sealants at Sandgate Family Dental

Fissure sealants are a thin, protective resin coating placed over the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They smooth out areas where a toothbrush bristle simply cannot reach, making it harder for plaque and food to settle and helping reduce the risk of decay starting in those grooves.

At Sandgate Family Dental we offer fissure sealants for children, teenagers, and adults with deep, decay-prone grooves on their molars. To talk through whether sealants are appropriate, book an appointment online or call the practice.

Why fissure sealants are used

Molars have natural pits and fissures on their chewing surfaces. In some people these grooves are shallow and easy to clean; in others they are deep and narrow — sometimes narrower than a toothbrush bristle. Plaque can sit deep inside these fissures and start the decay process even in patients with otherwise good oral hygiene.

Sealants are useful when:

Newly erupted adult molars have deep, sticky-looking grooves
Children are at higher caries risk because of diet, dry mouth, or a family history of decay
Adults have deep fissures that have never been filled but are catching the dental probe
Early “stuck” grooves are seen on X-ray or examination, but no cavity has yet formed
Patients have orthodontic appliances that make cleaning around the back teeth harder

About fissure sealants

What they are

A fissure sealant is a tooth-coloured (or sometimes clear) flowable resin material that bonds to the enamel of the chewing surface. Once set, it forms a smooth barrier across the previously irregular fissure pattern.

How they work

The sealant physically blocks plaque and food from settling deep in the groove, and it makes the surface much easier to clean with a normal toothbrush. The earlier a fissure is sealed in its life as an adult tooth, the more useful the protection tends to be.

Who they are not for

Sealants are a preventive measure, not a treatment for existing decay. If a cavity has already formed inside a fissure, a small filling is the appropriate option — see our information on fillings. Your dentist will examine each tooth individually before deciding.

Who fissure sealants may suit

This page describes sealants for the broader audience — older children, teenagers, and adults. Sealants placed on baby teeth and in younger children are covered in our children’s fissure sealants information, where the focus is on the first adult molars (typically around age six) and the second adult molars (around age twelve).

Sealants may particularly suit:

Teenagers whose second adult molars have just come through
Adults who have one or two unfilled molars with deep, stained fissures
Patients with reduced saliva flow — see our information on dry mouth
Patients with frequent sugar exposure or a diet high in acidic drinks — see diet and caries risk
Patients wearing fixed appliances or aligners — see clear aligners

What to expect at the appointment

Fissure sealant placement is quick, gentle, and does not require any drilling or anaesthetic in the vast majority of cases.

1. A careful clean of the tooth

The chewing surface is gently cleaned and dried. Any food debris in the grooves is removed first.

2. Preparing the enamel

A mild conditioning gel is placed on the tooth for a short time, then thoroughly rinsed off. This creates a microscopically roughened surface that helps the sealant bond.

3. Placing the sealant

The flowable resin is painted into the fissures with a fine brush or tip. It flows down into the grooves before being set with a curing light.

4. Check and polish

Your dentist checks the bite, smooths any high spots, and confirms the seal is intact along all the grooves.

A single tooth typically takes only a few minutes. Multiple sealants are often placed in one visit.

Durability and follow-up

How long a fissure sealant lasts depends on the patient, the tooth, the bite, and the cleaning habits afterwards. Many sealants stay intact for several years; some need topping up sooner.

We check each sealant at your routine scale and clean visits.
If a section has chipped away, the area is cleaned and re-sealed.
A small amount of sealant wear is normal and does not always need replacement, provided the groove underneath is still protected.
If decay has started underneath an old sealant, a small filling is the appropriate next step.

Sealants are one piece of a wider preventive approach. They sit alongside good brushing, low-sugar habits, and routine professional care.

Health funds and payment

Sandgate Family Dental is a HICAPS provider. Where you have eligible preventive cover, we process the claim at the practice and you only need to pay any gap.

The item number commonly used for fissure sealants is 161 (fissure or tooth surface sealing — per tooth). Rebates depend on your individual policy and annual limits — your fund can confirm what is covered before the visit. See preventive cover for more information. For eligible children, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule may cover sealants — see CDBS bulk billed care.

Fissure sealant FAQs

Do sealants involve any drilling?

No. In the vast majority of cases the tooth surface is simply cleaned, conditioned, and the sealant is painted on. No anaesthetic is needed.

Will my child feel the sealant?

The surface may feel slightly different for a day or two while they get used to it. Any high spots are smoothed at the appointment.

Can sealants be placed on adult teeth?

Yes. Adults with deep, unfilled fissures and increased decay risk can benefit. We assess each tooth individually.

How long do sealants last?

It varies. Many last several years, particularly when checked at routine visits and topped up if a corner chips away.

Are sealants safe?

Modern dental sealants are well-established preventive materials used routinely in Australia. We are happy to talk through the material we use if you would like more detail.

Can a sealed tooth still get a cavity?

It is possible, particularly if a sealant chips and goes unnoticed, or if decay starts between the teeth (where sealant does not reach). Routine check-ups are still important.

Will I still need fluoride if my child has sealants?

Yes. Sealants protect the chewing surface; fluoride helps the rest of the tooth. The two work well together.

Related information

Book a sealant assessment

If you would like to know whether fissure sealants are right for you or your child, our team is happy to take a look at a routine visit. Book an appointment online or phone Sandgate Family Dental.