Can primary teeth undergo pit and fissure sealing?

Aug 22, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

Generally, pit and fissure sealing is a common method for preventing dental caries, involving the application of a protective material to the grooves of teeth to reduce food residue accumulation and bacterial growth. Whether deciduous teeth can undergo pit and fissure sealing should be determined based on the child's specific oral condition, age, and other factors. If you have any questions, it is recommended to consult a professional dentist. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Generally, pit and fissure sealing is a common method for preventing dental caries, involving the application of protective materials onto the grooves of teeth to reduce food residue accumulation and bacterial growth. Whether primary teeth can undergo pit and fissure sealing depends on the child's specific oral condition, age, and other factors. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a professional dentist. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If a child is about 3–4 years old, has fully erupted primary teeth with deep pits and fissures that easily trap food debris, and has poor oral hygiene with a high risk of caries, pit and fissure sealing can be performed. By isolating food and bacteria using sealants, this procedure effectively reduces the likelihood of caries in primary teeth and helps protect their health.

If a child is too young, with primary teeth not yet fully erupted, shallow fissures, good oral hygiene, and a low risk of caries, pit and fissure sealing may not be necessary at this stage. Premature sealing might be ineffective due to poor cooperation from the child and could cause unnecessary irritation to the teeth. Strengthening oral care practices can serve as a preventive measure against caries instead.

After undergoing pit and fissure sealing on primary teeth, parents should assist the child in maintaining good oral hygiene, including rinsing the mouth after meals and brushing teeth thoroughly in the morning and evening. Avoid allowing the child to bite hard foods with the sealed teeth to prevent the sealant from dislodging. Regular dental check-ups are also important; if the sealant becomes dislodged or caries develop, prompt medical attention should be sought.

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When should pit and fissure sealing be done?

In general, pit and fissure sealing is performed within one year after the tooth erupts. After undergoing pit and fissure sealing, certain precautions should still be observed. For several days following the procedure, avoid chewing excessively hard or sticky foods with the sealed teeth to prevent dislodgement of the sealant material. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene by thoroughly brushing teeth twice daily and using dental floss or other tools to clean the interproximal surfaces of the teeth.

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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.

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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.

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What is the price for children's dental fissure sealing?

Under normal circumstances, the general reference price for children's dental fissure sealants is 80-300 yuan per tooth. However, the specific price may be affected by factors such as the number of teeth, the condition of the teeth, the selected materials, local living costs, and follow-up services. This procedure should be performed at a qualified medical institution. A detailed explanation is as follows: in daily life, parents should supervise children to maintain good oral hygiene.