Fissure Sealants
Sealants are a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the chewing surfaces and sides of teeth at risk of decay. Sealants can protect your children’s back teeth, so that they may never need to have a filling! They are a protective plastic coating, which are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth at risk of decay.
The chewing surfaces of back teeth have small grooves or fissures which often extend right down into the tooth itself. However well the teeth are brushed, these fissures are very difficult to clean thoroughly. Bacteria and food particles stick to them and eventually cause decay. Fissure sealants completely seal off these grooves, preventing any food particles or bacteria from getting in. They do not affect the normal chewing function of teeth. Fissure Sealants are a cost-effective, minimally invasive treatment to protect teeth form dental decay.
The diagnosis of fissure decay can be a challenge. Due to variations in the enamel thickness in the undulating tooth surface, dental x-rays are not a reliable means of assessing tooth surfaces for Pit and Fissure decay. In some cases the fissure retain food stains, without actually decaying, In line with our philosophy of Minimally Invasive Dentistry we use a number of techniques to determine if the decay has started in the fissures before we apply the fissure sealant.
After cleaning the tooth surface we use decay detecting dye, and Diagnodent Laser fluorescent decay testing, to check the fissures for decay. If decay is detected the tooth may require a composite resin filling rather than a fissure sealant.
Prior to placing the sealant Air Abrasion is used to prepare the enamel surface for application of the resin sealant.
To protect the dental fissures from decay we recommend to seal the cleaned fissures with a long lasting, flowable resin sealant to provide a new smooth surface which is easy to keep clean and healthy with a toothbrush.
No injection or drilling is needed the entire process is pain free.
It’s best to get advice from your dentist or dental therapist if your child would benefit from fissure sealing the permanent back molar teeth
How is it done?
First the fissure is checked for decay. Then the process simply involves cleaning the tooth surface, preparing it with a special solution, and then applying the coating. No injections or drilling are needed, and the entire process is pain free.
When should it be done?
The first permanent back molars are usually sealed between 6 and 7 years of age. If required the rest of the molars are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 14 years.
Do the teeth need special care afterwards?
No special care is needed, but the back teeth still need to be brushed regularly with a good toothbrush, preferably using fluoride toothpaste. It’s also important to keep going to your dentist or dental therapist for regular check-ups because other teeth might need attention.
When should it be done?
For best results the permanent back molar teeth should be sealed as soon as they start to come through. This is usually between 6-7 years of age. The remaining molar and premolar teeth should be sealed as soon as they appear - which is usually up to about age 14 years.
The fissures on the back of the upper incisor teeth may also benefit from placement of resin fissure sealants after they erupt into the mouth.
In some cases adults present with unsealed teeth which are difficult to protect from plaque adhesion. Fissure Sealants provide protection from plaque adhesion for adults and children alike. Dr Carolyn Langrell-Read will be happy to discuss if Fissure Sealants are right for you.
How long do Fissure Sealants Last?
No special care is needed to maintain the fissure sealants but you still need to brush the tooth and ideally use a fluoride toothpaste.
Fissure Sealants can last many years but your dentist will need to check them regularly to ensure the seal is still intact.
It is normal that they wear over time and sometimes it is necessary to add to or replace some of the resin sealant to be sure the tooth remains sealed to prevent decay from starting under the sealant.
Patient feedback
I first saw Carolyn in October 2013. Prior to that, I hadn't seen a dentist for maybe 15 years. To explain, in my past I have known what big pain and fear is, but none beat my fear of a dentist's chair. Old stuff. So I put off what I knew would be good for me. My first visit to Carolyn started out bad and ended calm. She talked me through it, and it's been calm ever since. Over a period of months she salvaged everything and for seven years I've been able to chew without aches. It's a weird thing to look back on, but we do these things - put important stuff off, no idea why. All I know is, I now have no fear of a dentist's chair. Thank you for that Carolyn.
Finally, a dental service I can rely on and honestly don't mind visiting. Our whole family see Carolyn and her team on a regular basis. The general dental care we receive is wonderful. Carolyn's thorough yet relaxed and friendly manner leave us feeling like we have made the right choice in moving to her clinic from elsewhere. I personally had a problem with clenching/grinding my teeth at night, which was damaging and wearing them down. Carolyn suggested I have a specially moulded retainer made to wear whilst sleeping. I was worried it would be uncomfortable, or wouldn't really work, but I am absolutely amazed at its success, and it is actually comfortable. No further wear and tear on my teeth and no more waking up with headaches. Also, thank you Carolyn for all your help and guidance through my recent, major wisdom tooth extraction.
Thank you so much to the staff at Newmarket Family Dental for the fabulous service and professional care I was given recently. I was staying with my family and suffered severe tooth pain (result of a dry socket from a recent extraction in my home town). After a phone call to the dental surgery, I was well looked after by the receptionist and was seen within 15 minutes and the treatment was fantastic.
I would like to congratulate your dentistry practice for such wonderful service during the current lockdown in Auckland. I required emergency help and I was absolutely astounded as it was offered within three days of my contacting you. Thank you also for the lovely help from Aanchal as I have problems hearing through the dental masks.
I have just been to see Carolyn and her team for a cracked tooth. This has been the most pleasant dental experience I have had in a long time. Being new to the country I can honestly say that the quality work, professionalism, and care Carolyn showed me was outstanding and world class. I would recommend her services to anyone. She was gentle and thorough, giving explanations throughout the procedure. Painless! Well done Carolyn and team!
I can’t recommend Newmarket Family Dental Care highly enough! From my first contact with the team, throughout my dental work, to the follow up calls – every stage with Carolyn and her lovely team exceeded all my expectations and put any nerves I had at ease. They even supplied me with a pink unicorn hot wheat sack, blanket and funky glasses…ever seen anyone so happy and at home having their wisdom teeth extracted? If you’re a nervous patient looking for a lovely dental team, or just wanting excellent dental treatment from a well trusted and highly skilled dentist, don’t look past Newmarket Family Dental Care! Thank you team!
Finding Carolyn was one of the best things that happened to me since I moved to Auckland 2 years ago. I've had my share of bad dentists over the past couple of decades, which was both costly and painful. So when my dental floss got stuck in a problematic filling, I got really nervous with the prospects of seeing a new dentist. As Carolyn was trying to fix the bad work of a previous dentist, the filling broke. My gums were bleeding a lot because of the bad filling, and I had to take more injections so that Carolyn could continue working on my tooth. I got so nervous that my legs started shaking. At this point, Carolyn did two unforgettable things. Firstly, I could see in her eyes that she felt empathy for my suffering, and she did everything in her power to make me feel safe in her capable hands. Secondly, she fixed my tooth after 10 years of discomfort and two bad dentists. I am grateful for Carolyn with all my heart.
Carolyn and her team provide an outstanding dental service. Carolyn seems very up to date with best practice and new research in dentistry and dental health. She seems very thorough and precise, and determined to deliver a quality outcome that fits a patient’s needs and preferences. I was particularly impressed with Carolyn’s attention to detail in finding a way of making a large filing replacement work in a tooth that was in a difficult location with uncertain strength in its remaining enamel walls. Carolyn crafted the replacement to fit extremely well in a manner that seems to have maintained the required strength. I was also impressed with her attention to detail and current best practice in oral health, particularly the relationship between diet (high fruit intake) and dental hygiene.
As a very anxious dental patient I was recommended Carolyn Langrell-Read by a family member who happens to be a dental nurse herself, high praise in itself. I have now been a patient since 1986 and am extremely happy with her caring and professional manner. I required a significant amount of work to be done and have been well informed throughout each stage of the process. Over the past few years my attitude has changed since my first visit when I was terrified to even walk through the door, recently I was so relaxed that I nearly fell asleep in the chair and not due to sedation!! That is due to Carolyn’s patient, kind and thoughtful nature, it makes travelling from the North Shore very worthwhile indeed.
I have known Carolyn Langrell - Read for 6 years. In this time she has treated my gum disease, suggested that I should consider braces, (my bottom teeth were breaking my top teeth), and given me superior dental treatment. Her skill in filling, reconstructing, capping and saving teeth some that have been filled generously with amalgam in the past is extraordinary. Her manner is friendly and professional. She gives you an excellent explanation (both verbal and written) of the treatment she proposes or has achieved. Her equipment is excellent and this combined with her expertise enables her to achieve a very high standard of dental work I feel very confident that Carolyn will look after my teeth in the future and I can recommend her as an exceptional dentist.
Good morning Elaynor Thank you for the follow up call. The treatment has worked well and I have recovered fully. My long term association with your Clinic and repeated visits are a testimony of the good and professional care provided by Dr. Langrell-Read and her staff. I am always impressed with her eye for detail and the ability to listen and to communicate with her patient regarding the treatment planned and undertaken. I have recommended her services to my daughter in law.
Thanks Carolyn and co for the care extended to Team Collett over the last four years. We really couldn’t be happier! We have one child who now wants to study dentistry and adores all the gory stories. And another that will now happily turn up for the joy of choosing the wackiest sunglasses. The journey with him in particular has included star jumps to shake out nerves, text messages from the Tooth Fairy congratulating him on his bravery, the fantastic monster paste to encourage brushing performance, and now matching emoji glasses. We really can’t thank you enough for the empathy and creativity used, but most importantly the amazing professional care. We tell everyone how amazing you are!
When I was 8 yrs old my two front teeth were accidentally broken while playing outside in the dark. I was taken to White Cross Emergency Dental where they were quickly fixed with temporary caps. As a teenager, I had orthodontic treatment and was referred to Newmarket Family Dental Care to insure that the treatment could go ahead with the caps. It was after the treatment was completed I was then able to get my teeth crowned. Carolyn was a thorough dentist and caring person from the start. Everything was well explained and the procedures were done skilfully and considerately. It was a difficult task with a number of steps but I was able to get through them knowing I was in good hands. Carolyn was also diligent in securing funding from ACC and I was pleasantly surprised how affordable it all was. In the end, I couldn’t have asked for a better result and I am happy and healthy with my new teeth. Carolyn continues to provide good care for me making sure the crowns and the rest of my teeth are all ok.