What is Pitting in Dentistry?
Pits and Fissures
A pit and fissure could be shallow or deep and is located on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. When looking at the teeth located in the back of the mouth, there are noticeable hills and valleys. The portions that look like hills are pits with a depression on the outside portion of the tooth. The areas that look like valleys are fissures which typically exist on the teeth’s chewing surfaces. A pit is just a fissure which is isolated to a specific area. While pits and fissures are present on both molars and premolars, cavities are more exaggerated on the molars.
Pit and Fissure Formation
The pits and fissures located on the teeth are shelter dental plaque and calculus as they aid in chewing food. When food becomes trapped in these small grooves, bacterial film can develop on the teeth. This accumulation of bacteria is especially common for patients who do not practice good oral hygiene.
Good oral hygiene includes brushing the teeth at least twice each day and daily brushing. Patients should also make regular visits to the dentist for an examination and professional cleaning. The cleaning often removes plaque and tartar which is difficult to remove at home.
Cleaning these areas with a toothbrush can be quite difficult as the bristles of the toothbrush may not be able to effectively reach these grooves. When the microbes in the plaque feeds on the sugars from food and drinks, it becomes an acid which can cause serious damage to the tooth’s enamel. With time, the enamel will begin to wear away, allowing for tooth decay.
One great solution for protecting the teeth and helping to combat tooth decay is fluoride. Fluoride is commonly found in toothpastes and treated water. Unfortunately, it does not provide patients with significant protection on the teeth’s chewing surfaces. Often times, tooth decay in young children occurs in the pits and fissures. As a result, it is critical to make routine visits to the dentist to prevent cavities and decay.
Fissure Sealants
The dentist can use a plastic coating material which is called a fissure sealant to protect the pits and fissure on the teeth. When these deep grooves are sealed, it significantly reduces the patient’s risk of tooth decay.
The three preventative goals of using a sealant on pits and fissures include:
1. Sealants reduce the pits and fissures using a composite resin
2. The sealant aids in preventing bacteria from reaching deep into grooves of the teeth; sealants significantly reduce the likelihood of tooth decay
3. A sealant makes it easier to clean the pits and fissures and helps prevent the collection of food debris
Fissure Sealant Candidates
Children and adults can both benefit from a fissure sealant. The earlier a patient receives the sealant, the more effective it becomes in protecting the teeth. Most dentists suggest applying a sealant between the ages of 6 and 12.
Based on information from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), young children and babies with deep pits or fissures are at a higher risk for decay and may be good candidates for a sealant. Follow up with your dentist if you are interested in discussing how you or your child may benefit from the application of a sealant.