Can you prevent developing decay in a child?

Here are things we should know about pediatric oral health care. There are various stages during tooth eruption in children

Primary dentition stage: 6 months to five years    

Mixed dentition stage: Six to Twelve years

Permanent dentition stage: Thirteen years onwards

During these stages of tooth eruption, there is increased susceptibility of children towards development of decay, especially in the mixed dentition stage.

During the 6th year, there is eruption of permanant molars . These are the first permanent teeth to erupt.

However the erupting molars have deep fissures and pits.

PIT: Small hollow depressions present on the occlusal surface of tooth

FISSURES: Linear depression on the occlusal surfaces of the tooth

Deep pits and fissures on the tooth surface
Types of fissures

By blocking these pits and fissures using a suitable sealant will not allow the eposition of microbes on to the deep fissures that can cause the progression of decay. Sealing the pits and fissures is a preventive measure to prevent decay progression.

STEPS IN PIT AND FISSURE SEALANT:

Step 1: Cleaning the tooth surface:

Step 2:Etching the surface of the tooth. By etching the tooth surface, the debris on the tooth surface can be removed even more effectively. In addition it creates a roughness on the tooth surface that allows bonding of thje resin to the fissures.

Step 3: Washed and cured

Step 4: Bonding agent is applied to the etched surface. This bonding agent creates an interface between the etched tooth surface and the material that is to be placed.

Step 5: Sealant is applied on to the tooth surface and is cured.

Step 6: Finishing and polishing of the tooth surface

6 Steps in application of pit and fissure sealants

What are the various materials used for pit and fissure sealants?

Fuji VII - A type of Glass Ionomer Cement that is not sensitive to water and is suitable for pediatric patients
Composites used as sealants

PREVENTIVE RESIN RESTORATION

Pit and fissure sealants are different from preventive resin restoration in a way, that PRR involves removal of carious tooth structure whereas Pit and Fissure Sealant is a preventive measure before commencement of a decay

Three main classifications of Preventive resin restoration persists

Type A: Caries is confined to a small area of enamel. It involves excavation of the carious tooth structure and sealing later

Type B: Caries is confined to a small area of Enamel and dentin . It again involves removing the decayed portion and restoring with a sealant

Type C: It involves decay close to or approximating the pulp but does involve using local anesthesia.

Differences and commonalities of Pit and fissure sealants and Preventive Resin Restoration

It is always better to prevent a problem from arising rather than treating a developed problem

Perpetual preservation of what remains is much important than meticulous replacement of what is lost...