What Is the Sulcus Sign?

Pit and fissure sealing refers to not damaging the dental tissue. Apply the pouch and fissure sealing material to the crevice point gap of the occlusal surface of the crown and buccal tongue surface. When it flows into and penetrates the crevice, it solidifies and hardens to form a layer of protection. The barrier, covering the pits and grooves, can prevent the caries-causing bacteria and acidic metabolites from eroding the teeth, so as to prevent the pits and grooves from caries.

What is pit and fissure closure

Pit and fissure closure is a painless and non-invasive method. The technology has been used in the world for more than 50 years.

The sealing material used for the pit and sulcus seal is called pit and sulcus sealant. It is tightly adhered to the sulcus wall after curing, and has a certain resistance to chewing pressure. It is not harmful to eating, and it is non-toxic and does not harm the human body after curing. harm. Blocking agents are generally retained for long periods. Just after the closure, it is best to do a review in 3-6 months. When doing a regular oral inspection every year, you should also check the closed teeth at the same time, in order to find out if the sealant has fallen off in time, so as to make up for it in time.

The principle of pit and fissure prevention for pit and fissure caries is to fill the pits and grooves of the teeth with a polymer material to make the tooth surface smooth and easy to clean. On the one hand, the original bacteria in the sulcus cut off the source of nutrition after the sulcus is closed. , Gradually dying; on the other hand, the cariogenic bacteria outside can no longer enter, so as to achieve the purpose of preventing pit and fissure caries.

The occlusal surface (the side of chewing food) of the big teeth in the back of each person's mouth is uneven, and the recessed part is called the groove. If the development is not good, these pits are very deep, food and bacteria are embedded in them, and dental caries (also known as "worm teeth", "cavities") are prone to occur. This type of caries is medically called pit and groove caries. According to the oral epidemiological survey, more than 90% of adolescents in China have caries in the sulcus. "Sixth-age tooth" is the most common site of pit and fissure caries. It is the earliest permanent molar that sprouts. It has the strongest chewing function and is most prone to dental caries. Molars are important. Pit and fissure closure is the most effective way to prevent pit and fissure caries in permanent molars.

The method of pit and fissure closure is very simple. It can be done by several steps such as cleaning the teeth, acid etching, rinsing and drying, applying a sealant and curing. But it needs to be emphasized that the trench and sulcus closure requires professional operations and the necessary equipment.

Evidence-based medicine research has shown that pit and fissure closure is an effective method to prevent pit and fissure caries, and the use of resin-type pit and fissure sealants can effectively reduce the incidence of permanent molar caries. The anti-caries effect of pit and fissure closure is directly related to the retention rate of the sealant, so the operation must be strict and standardized.

The main reasons for the failure of the seal (the sealant falls off) are insufficient acid etching, and the tooth surface does not show a chalky appearance after drying. Causes the blocking agent to fall off. Other reasons affecting the quality of closure include the choice of indications and clinical operating skills.

The sign of the successful sealing of the pit and fissure is that the sealant can exist intact, can be worn but cannot fall off, so it needs to be reviewed regularly (three months, half a year or one year) after the seal, to observe the retention of the sealant, and it should be closed again when it falls off.