Tooth preservation
Tooth sealing
Effective caries protection, long-lasting dental health and preventive dental care
Tooth sealing
Prophylactic dental sealant
Tooth sealing with a special resin is part of dental prophylaxis. This preventive measure is particularly recommended for caries-prone patients, as this group often has fine grooves, depressions and ridges, known as fissures, on the surface of their teeth. Fissures are not cracks that develop over time, but rather anatomical structures on the teeth. Although these fissures are only fractions of a millimeter narrow in the early stages, they tend to attract bacteria. Caries can develop particularly in very deep irregularities that are difficult to reach with normal dental care. Fissure sealants are therefore used to prevent fissure caries and other damage caused by progressive lesions. On this page you can find out more about the method, causes and procedure of this important dental prophylaxis measure for children and adults.
Everything at a glance
Table of contents
Possible risk factors
Causes of fissures on the teeth
Fissures are small depressions or grooves on the chewing surface of the molars. They are present in many patients from birth and vary in shape and depth. Although fissures are not problematic in themselves, they can promote tooth decay. Possible causes and risk factors for the development of caries in fissures are
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Basic anatomical requirements
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Poor oral hygiene
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Eating habits, e.g. consumption of sugary foods
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Age: At a young age, toothache is softer and therefore more susceptible
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Dry mouth and lack of saliva
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Too few visits to the dentist
This is why we always pay attention to whether and how pronounced the lesions on your teeth are during our examinations.
Fissure sealing plays an important role in the prevention of tooth decay by covering the cavities on the chewing surfaces of the molars. These natural fissures can be a target for bacteria as they are difficult to clean. A sealant prevents bacteria from accumulating in these cavities and thus reduces the risk of tooth decay.
It is a misconception that fissures lead to large cracks or broken teeth; rather, they are areas that are prone to decay. Fissure sealing is particularly effective in children and teenagers, but can be useful at any age to minimize the risk of decay and tooth damage. The procedure is simple and provides long-lasting protection, making it an important part of dental health.
Preventing tooth decay
Why are teeth sealed?
Proven protection
How useful is a dental sealant?
The question of whether it makes sense to seal teeth is as justified as it is scientifically well documented: Anyone who has their teeth sealed on the recommendation of their dentist when fissures are present has a better prognosis with regard to freedom from caries than untreated patients. To put it more precisely: Fissure sealants ensure that after four to five years, the protected teeth show around 50% less caries infestation than unsealed teeth. From a preventive point of view, sealing the teeth can therefore clearly be described as sensible.
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Procedure
How does a dental sealant treatment work?
- The first step is to thoroughly clean the tooth and tooth surface. This includes, for example, the removal of deposits - such as tartar - from teeth that are otherwise still healthy.
- This is followed by the first rinsing and drying.
- An acidic solution is then used to slightly roughen the enamel so that the subsequent sealant adheres to the tooth for as long as possible.
- The area of the mouth to be treated is rinsed and dried again.
- Finally, the dentist applies the liquid plastic dental sealant and cures it with a special light. This is referred to as a light-cured sealant.
In principle, fissure sealants can be indicated at all ages. In comparison, dental sealants are not as common for adults as they are for children. The reason for this is that the causes of tooth decay change as we grow older: In men and women, tooth decay is more likely to be caused by bacteria colonizing the spaces between the teeth and not, as in younger people under the age of 18, by cracks in the tooth. Experience shows that caries-free chewing surfaces in children and adolescents have a very good chance of remaining healthy in adulthood.
In adults, especially if the enamel is weakened by wear, a sealant may be considered to protect against decay and support the structural integrity of the tooth. In such cases, however, restorative measures such as fillings or crowns are more likely to be recommended by dentists to stabilize and protect the affected tooth.
Adult prophylaxis
Can adult teeth also be sealed?
Duration of treatment
How long does sealing at the dentist take?
The treatment can be carried out within a manageable time frame and usually only takes one session. Depending on the individual case and the number of teeth affected, you can expect it to take between 15 and 30 minutes. Many patients perceive the procedure as simple and hardly unpleasant; it is not painful.
As part of the treatment, a plastic sealant is used, which adapts perfectly to the natural color of the tooth. Due to the light-cured sealant, the prophylaxis has a long shelf life. A so-called two-component sealant, on the other hand, has a different physical composition and is able to harden without light. We will be happy to provide you with further information if you are interested.
Natural look
Plastic sealing and two-component sealing
Financing
Cost of treatment
Whether a child/adolescent or an adult is treated is important for the full or partial coverage of the costs of a dental sealant by the statutory health insurance funds. If you have any questions about financing, please contact us. We will provide you with the information you need.
Teeth sealing - costs and personal contribution:
Children/young people
For children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17, statutory health insurance covers the costs of prophylactic fissure sealing on the first and second molars.
Adults
Adults must be prepared to pay a co-payment of up to €70 for the sealing of a tooth. This amount applies per tooth.
If the tooth structure is sealed carefully and professionally, this protection usually lasts between seven and ten years. As part of routine and preventive dental examinations, we regularly determine the extent to which an older fissure sealant still fulfills its purpose. If deficits or wear and tear are recognizable, it is possible to replace the dental sealant without any problems. You will then be better protected against tooth decay and the resulting unpleasant toothache.
Duration of protection
How long does the seal last?
What our patients say about us
Customer testimonials
A very nice team that cares about people and successfully tailors its services to the customer. The focus here is on satisfaction and not on the services or products offered.
Benjamin K.
Such a friendly, competent practice! I went to Dr. Werner in an emergency, who made every effort to preserve the tooth and advised me extensively on what options we had. I feel in good hands there. The practice is very clean and beautiful, the staff very friendly and courteous.
Thank you!
Luana L.
We advise you extensively
Tooth sealing - prophylaxis for children and adults
Fissure sealing can be an effective dental prophylaxis to prevent tooth decay and tooth breakage. Our dentists at the smilin'' practice near Weil am Rhein and Basel carry out dental sealants for adults and children in a pleasant atmosphere. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment now, please get in touch with us by phone or using the contact form.
We take care of your smile.
Benefit from our additional services
In addition to high-quality dentistry, we offer a comprehensive range of services on request to make your visit to us as pleasant as possible.
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SMS notifications
for reminders about check-up and prophylaxis appointments
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Digital dental impression
for fast fabrication of precise dental prostheses in 2 hours.
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Own laboratory on site
for controlled quality and short processing times
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Long opening hours
for more flexibility when booking appointments
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If you are interested in our dental health services, we will be happy to advise you: The smilin'' dental practice near Lörrach, Weil am Rhein and Basel awaits you. Please simply arrange your personal appointment by telephone or via our online appointment booking tool!
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