Understanding Sealant Failure: Causes and Prevention

Dentists use pit and fissure sealants to prevent caries. The sealants serve this purpose by penetrating into the teeth's pits and fissures and sealing away bacteria. Sealants are useful to protect the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, which are the teeth surfaces that come into contact with other teeth when your mouth is shut. Sealants are not foolproof however, and they do fail sometimes.

Technique Errors

• One type of sealant failure arises from technique errors. A dentist may use an improper technique in putting in the sealant. One such technique error arises from moisture contamination. Another error arises when air bubbles enter the sealant material, which tends to weaken it. There also is a possibility of sealant failure from a technique error if a dentist does not completely remove debris from the teeth's pits and fissures before beginning the etching.

Tooth Status

• Sealant failure also can occur if a dentist puts the sealant on a tooth that is not completely erupted, or is partly below the gums. This may be because of difficulty in keeping the surface of the tooth dry during application of the sealant.

Need for Sealants

• Dentists have traditionally used sealants on children's teeth as a preventive measure during the ages that they are most prone to cavities. Older patients may also be able to benefit from sealants, however. For instance, dentists could use sealants on patients who are going through orthodontic treatment, those who show indications of caries, as well as those who are prone to caries. The first and second permanent molars are the teeth that are most at risk for pit and fissure decay, according to the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Bacteria can build up in deep pits and fissures and break down the teeth enamel. Primary molars also can benefit from sealants.