Fissure Treatments Ballarat

Dr Don Anderson was the first Ballarat dentist to do fissure treatments after he attended a lecture on children's dentistry. What are fissure treatments? Also known as fissure sealant, fissure treatment is a preventative dental treatment for children. As children's teeth in early development are especially vulnerable to tooth decay, fissure sealant is applied creating a smooth, protective barrier against plaque and bacteria build-up and contains fluoride, giving the child's tooth extra protection.

The sealant is a similar consistency to nail polish, is pink or tooth-coloured and flows into the natural grooves of the back teeth setting hard after a few minutes. The procedure is completely pain-free taking about 5 minutes per tooth.

When is the ideal time for fissure treatments?

The ideal time is immediately following emergence of the child's first permanent molars (around 6 years of age) and then after the permanent adult molars come through (between 11 and 14). There may be times when primary premolars (or baby teeth) require fissure treatments if there is a likelihood of developing tooth decay.

While this is usually a procedure for children, adults can also opt for fissure sealant to prevent tooth decay on teeth with no detectable decay.

If you are considering fissure treatments for your children or yourself, make an appointment with our Ballarat Dentist for a consultation. We can also help you with tooth implants and periodontics Ballarat.