Which is better: pit and fissure sealants or fluoride application?

Aug 26, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

In general, both pit and fissure sealants and fluoride application are effective options. You can make an appropriate choice based on your individual circumstances and under medical guidance. It is recommended to visit a reputable hospital promptly and follow medical advice for proper treatment. In daily life, maintaining good hygiene habits—such as brushing teeth morning and night and avoiding smoking—is beneficial for dental health.

In general, both pit and fissure sealants and fluoride application are effective options. The choice can be made based on individual circumstances and under medical guidance. It is recommended to visit a reputable hospital promptly and follow professional medical advice for appropriate treatment.

Improvement Method	Pit and Fissure Sealants	Fluoride Application
Image Example
Principle	Apply special material onto the tooth's grooves to seal them	Apply fluoride onto the tooth surface to form a protective film
Reference Price	100–300 RMB per tooth	200–500 RMB per session
Advantages	1. Thoroughly cleans teeth 2. Protects teeth 3. Painless procedure	1. Simple procedure 2. High safety 3. Helps prevent dental caries
Risks	1. Material wear over time 2. Potential tooth damage	1. Requires regular maintenance every 6 months 2. Excessive intake may be harmful to health
Duration	3–5 years	6–12 months
Applicable Population	1. Children aged 6–12 2. Adults prone to dental caries	1. Adolescents and children 2. Adults prone to dental caries

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth morning and night, and avoiding smoking, which helps promote dental health.

View All

How much does pit and fissure sealant usually cost?

Generally, there are five common materials used for pit and fissure sealants, with the following reference prices: composite resin, 100–120 yuan per tooth; glass ionomer, 100–150 yuan per tooth; silver amalgam, 100–300 yuan per tooth; and stannous fluoride, 100–800 yuan per tooth, etc.

View Full Answer

When should children receive pit and fissure sealants?

Under normal circumstances, children can receive pit and fissure sealing at the age of 6 to 7 years. After the procedure, it is important to avoid letting the child chew excessively hard foods, such as nuts or bones, with the sealed teeth for 24 hours post-treatment, to prevent dislodgement of the sealing material. Additionally, it is important to supervise the child's daily oral hygiene, ensuring they brush their teeth at least twice daily for no less than three minutes each time.

View Full Answer

What are the indications for pit and fissure sealants?

Under normal circumstances, pit and fissure sealants have clearly defined target populations and dental conditions. The main indications include: eruption of permanent teeth, deep pits and fissures on tooth surfaces, individuals with poor oral hygiene maintenance, those with a family history of dental caries, and teeth without caries on adjacent surfaces. In addition, if deciduous teeth have deep pits and fissures and are prone to caries, pit and fissure sealants may also be considered upon a doctor's recommendation.

View Full Answer

What are the disadvantages and benefits of pit and fissure sealing?

Pit and fissure sealing has both benefits and some drawbacks. The drawbacks may include risks of material detachment, improper operation affecting dental health, inapplicability to all teeth, inability to replace daily oral care, and localized discomfort in some individuals. The benefits mainly include the prevention of pit and fissure caries, protection of dental tissues, simple and painless application, long-term and stable effectiveness, and suitability for the needs of children and adolescents.