Sealants Vs PRR

Most parents want their children to have a healthy and beautiful smile and to avoid tooth decay and fillings. Posterior or back teeth has lines and grooves on the biting surface which is called as fissures. Like any groove these are the hardest part to clean with tooth brush and no matter how well you clean it’s the most common site for decay in children and adult.

As we always say “PREVENTION IS BETTERR THAN CURE” Before a teeth travel to decay, it’s always better to prevent the tooth as early as possible. Good strategy is to seal these grooves to prevent cavity formation. Even if you notice a small black spot, it’s always better to get it cleaned and sealed before it turns into decay.

Sealants are coatings placed on the chewing surface of tooth including bucal and palatal surface of young permanent back tooth which are more vulnerable to decay. Fissures can be deep and narrow leading to plaque and accumulation in these areas allowing bacteria to attack enamel of tooth which can develop into cavity. In fact sealants provide extra protection for these areas creating smooth surface over fissured areas. They are not permanent as they wear off gradually over time so regular dental visit is recommended.

WHEN AND WHY PRR????

“WHEN THE DISCOLURATION IN A TOOTH IS MORE THAN A STAIN BUT LESS THAN A CAVITY”

PRR (Preventive resin restoration) is a preventive measure to protect teeth from decay. Difference between sealant and PRR is that, Sealant may last for only 6-8yrs but PRR can last longer like any other permanent filling. Drill is used in this procedure to remove decay and the teeth is etched for 15 seconds with an etchant and then rinsed and dried. Bonding agent is applied in the etched area and cured with blue light. Flowable composite filling material is filled in the pit and later the grooves are lined with sealant and hardened with blue light. Regular dental visit after treatment will help you maintain your child’s oral hygiene and prevent from getting decay.