Fissure sealants are a Preventative dental treatment typically provided for children, but sometimes recommended for adults. Not all teeth need fissure sealants. Our decision whether to recommend a sealant will depend on whether a patient has had any tooth decay (cavities), how well they can clean their teeth and the shape of their teeth. The grooves on the biting surface of back teeth are known as fissures. If the grooves are deep or narrow, it can be difficult for toothbrush bristles to clean into these grooves. Plaque can accumulate at the base of these grooves and cause tooth decay (cavities) to form if it is not removed.
In these cases we recommend protective plastic coatings called fissure sealants. Fissure sealants are protective coatings that are placed on the biting surface of the teeth. They help to prevent the development of tooth decay in the deep grooves of the teeth. Fissure sealants differ from fillings as they do not require tooth surface to be removed: they are intended to prevent disease as opposed to treat it.
No injections are needed. The tooth surface is cleaned to remove any plaque or food debris and an adhesive white plastic material is placed into the grooves. The material is set using a blue light to form a hard coating, which will prevent plaque accumulating at the base of the groove. It is vital that regular dental checks are maintained to ensure that the sealants are still present and replaced if they have been lost.
Mouthguards form an important part of sports injury prevention. It is important to avoid injuries to the teeth. Not only do they cause pain and distress in the short-term, these injuries can lead to long-term complex treatment. Sports mouthguards are protective rubber devices that cover the teeth and gums to reduce risk of injury to the teeth. A professionally made and correctly fitted mouthguard cushions the impact of knocks to the teeth. Footballers, rugby players and boxers are very aware of their need for a mouthguard. However, they are also very important for sports such as hockey (due to fast moving sticks and hard ball) and basketball (due to fast moving elbows close to the face).
Children and teenagers periodically need new mouthguards made to accommodate their growing teeth and jaws. Adults need to replace their mouthguard periodically due to wear and tear. When you come to see us for a mouthguard we will ask what sport it is for so it is made to the correct specification. We will also ask you to choose the colour and pattern, although we most commonly make white ones. We will then take an impression of your teeth and gums. After your mouthguard has been made we will check it fits properly and explain how to look after it and when to get it checked. We'll give you a case to keep it safe and we'll wish you good luck for the coming season.
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