Treatment guide
Fluoride and sealants
Some parents and patients feel unsure about a preventive treatment they have not had explained before. Fluoride varnish and fissure sealants are both straightforward procedures. Neither one involves drilling into the tooth, and neither usually needs an injection to numb the area. Varnish is painted directly onto the surface of the tooth, and sealant material is flowed gently into the grooves of the back teeth. Most people, including young children, find both treatments easy to sit through, and your dentist will explain each step before it happens.
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Why patients consider it
Concerns this treatment is designed to address.
Some parents and patients feel unsure about a preventive treatment they have not had explained before. Fluoride varnish and fissure sealants are both straightforward procedures. Neither one involves drilling into the tooth, and neither usually needs an injection to numb the area. Varnish is painted directly onto the surface of the tooth, and sealant material is flowed gently into the grooves of the back teeth. Most people, including young children, find both treatments easy to sit through, and your dentist will explain each step before it happens.
- No drilling involved
Both fluoride varnish and fissure sealants are placed onto the tooth surface, so there is no need to remove any tooth structure beforehand. - An injection is not usually needed
Since neither treatment reaches beneath the enamel, most patients do not require any anaesthetic before the appointment begins. - A calm appointment for children
The gentle, quick nature of both treatments makes them a comfortable introduction to preventive dental care for younger patients.
What to expect
Every stage, explained clearly.
The tooth is cleaned and dried
Your dentist or hygienist cleans the tooth surface thoroughly and keeps it dry, which helps both varnish and sealant material bond properly.
Varnish brushed on, or sealant flowed in
Fluoride varnish is painted on with a small brush, while sealant material is placed into the grooves and set firm with a curing light.
You are told what to expect afterwards
Before you leave, your dentist explains any guidance about eating or drinking, so you know what to do for the rest of the day.
Before your appointment
Useful things to know.
Will my child need an injection for sealants?
No. Sealants are placed onto the surface of the tooth without any anaesthetic, which is one reason they are often a comfortable first preventive treatment for children, even a child who has never sat in the chair before.
Does fluoride varnish taste unpleasant?
Varnish is available in a range of flavours at most clinics, and it sets quickly once applied, so it stays in contact with the tooth only briefly, rarely long enough to be a concern.
How long does the appointment usually last?
Both treatments are quick, and the appointment is generally shorter than one for restorative treatment, though your dentist can give you a clearer idea once they have assessed your teeth and decided what is needed.
Is any discomfort expected once treatment is finished?
Most people feel nothing unusual once varnish or sealant has been placed. If any sensitivity is noticed, it is generally mild and settles on its own within a short time.
Plan your visit
Begin with a clear conversation.
Message the practice about what you have noticed, and the team will arrange a suitable assessment.
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