“Had a good experience at this dental clinic. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the dentist explained the treatment clearly. The clinic was clean and the overall experience was comfortable. Would recommend this clinic for dental care.”
Pit and fissure sealants
Pit and Fissure Sealants in Kondapur, Hyderabad
Pit and fissure sealants in Kondapur are a thin protective coating painted into the deep grooves of back teeth. They seal out food and bacteria in the places a toothbrush cannot reach, and they are one of the simplest ways to prevent a first cavity.
Elite Dental Clinic is a dental clinic in Kondapur, Hyderabad. This page is medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, a dentist at the clinic, and children's care is provided with the clinic's pediatric dentist. It explains how dental sealants in Kondapur work, who they suit, the risks and what to expect.
- Takes
- A few minutes per tooth
- Anaesthesia
- Not needed
- Drilling
- None
- Open
- Every day
Open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you have pain or swelling, call or send a WhatsApp message before you come so your visit can be planned.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics). Last reviewed . About the reviewer
Quick answer
A sealant is a thin plastic or glass-based coating that is painted into the deep grooves of a back tooth and hardened, so food and bacteria cannot settle there. At Elite Dental Clinic in Hyderabad, it is a short visit with no needles and no drilling.
01 Overview
What are pit and fissure sealants and why are they used?
The chewing surface of a back tooth is not flat. It has narrow pits and grooves, called fissures, that can be deeper than a toothbrush bristle is wide. Food and bacteria collect in them, and the enamel at the bottom is thin, which is why many first cavities begin there.
A sealant is a thin coating, usually a tooth-coloured resin or a glass ionomer material, that flows into the grooves and is hardened with a light. It makes the surface smooth and easy to clean, and it keeps the decay-causing bacteria from reaching the enamel.1
Sealants work on the grooves and not on the sides of the tooth between teeth, so they are used with brushing, a careful diet and fluoride treatment. They are placed on healthy teeth, and a tooth that already has a cavity needs a filling instead.
A Cochrane review of resin-based sealants in children and teenagers found that, compared with no sealant, sealed first molars had far fewer cavities at 24 months, and the benefit was still seen at 48 months. The review rated this evidence as moderate in quality.2
In short, a sealant closes the deep grooves of a back tooth so a cavity does not start there.
Sealants protect the grooves where tooth decay most often starts in children.
02 Candidacy
Who should have sealants in Kondapur?
Sealants are mostly used for children and teenagers, soon after the back teeth come in. They can help some adults too. The two lists below describe the general pattern.
Who may benefit
- Children when the first adult molars come in, at about 6 years
- Children when the second adult molars come in, at about 12 years
- Teenagers and adults with deep grooves and no cavity yet
- Anyone who gets cavities easily or finds it hard to clean the back teeth
Needs caution or a different plan
- A tooth that already has a cavity, which needs a filling
- A tooth that has not come fully through the gum, where the tooth cannot be kept dry
- A child who cannot keep still or keep the mouth open, so the visit is rescheduled
- Allergy to a material, which the dentist asks about beforehand
The earlier a sealant goes on after a back tooth comes in, the more of the tooth it protects.
03 Options
Which sealant material will I get in Kondapur?
There are two main materials. The dentist chooses by the tooth, the child and how well the tooth can be kept dry.
Resin sealant for deep grooves and molars
A resin sealant bonds to the enamel and is hardened with a blue light. It is the one with the most evidence. In the Cochrane review, resin sealants reduced cavities in the grooves of adult molars compared with no sealant.2
A few minutes
Glass ionomer sealant for partly erupted molars
A glass ionomer sealant can be placed when the tooth cannot be kept completely dry, such as a molar that has only partly come through. It releases a little fluoride, though it wears faster, and the Cochrane review found too little evidence to judge it.2
A few minutes
For children, sealants fit alongside teeth cleaning and the other steps at a check-up.
| Compared on | Resin sealant | Glass ionomer sealant |
|---|---|---|
| How it sticks | Bonds to the enamel, hardened with light | Chemical bond, sets by itself |
| Needs a dry tooth | Yes, fully dry | Tolerates some moisture |
| Wear | Lasts longer | Wears faster |
| Evidence in children | Moderate quality, fewer cavities2 | Insufficient evidence to judge2 |
Resin is the usual choice, and glass ionomer helps where the tooth cannot be kept dry.
04 Procedure
How are sealants placed, step by step?
Placing a sealant takes a few minutes per tooth. There is no needle and no drilling. The steps below are what usually happens.
The tooth is cleaned, dried, coated and hardened with a light.
Examining the molars and grooves before sealing
The dentist checks the back teeth for cavities and decides which ones need sealing. A small X-ray may be taken to be sure the grooves are sound.
Cleaning the fissures and grooves
The tooth is cleaned with a small brush and polishing paste to remove food and plaque from the grooves, and then it is rinsed.
Drying and preparing the enamel
The tooth is isolated with cotton and dried. A mild gel is placed for a short time to roughen the enamel slightly, rinsed off and dried again, so the sealant can bond. A glass ionomer is placed without this step.
Painting the resin sealant into the grooves
The sealant is painted on and flows into the grooves. The dentist checks that it has covered the pits and does not trap air.
Hardening the sealant and checking the bite
A blue light hardens the resin in about 20 seconds per tooth. The bite is checked, and the sealant is trimmed if it feels high.
05 Cost
What decides the cost of sealants in Kondapur, Hyderabad?
Treatment is planned for one person, not sold as a product, so the cost follows your evaluation.
The treatment is short, but each mouth is different, so Elite Dental Clinic does not quote a cost before an examination. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.
What the evaluation looks at
- The number of teeth that need sealing
- The material chosen
- Whether it is done with a check-up and cleaning
- Whether any tooth needs a filling first
What you decide with the dentist
- Whether fluoride treatment is advised at the same visit
- Whether a tooth needs to be re-sealed later
- The child's age and how many molars have come in
Your child's risk of cavities matters too, because it affects how many teeth are sealed and how often they are checked.
The cost follows the plan, and the plan follows the evaluation.
06 Aftercare
What should I do after a sealant?
A sealant needs almost no aftercare. The steps below help it last.
Straight after
You can eat and drink as soon as the visit is over once a resin sealant is set. A glass ionomer may need an hour or so without food, and the dentist will say.
Brushing and cleaning
Keep brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth. The sealant does not protect the sides of the tooth.
Hard and sticky foods
Avoid chewing ice, hard sweets and very sticky toffees, because they can chip or lift a sealant.
Check-ups
The dentist looks at the sealants at each check-up. A worn or chipped sealant can be repaired or replaced quickly.1
When to call us
Call the clinic if the bite feels high after the visit, if a sealant comes off, or if a tooth starts to hurt. If swelling spreads to the face or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
A sealant needs normal brushing and a check-up, and it can be repaired if it chips.
07 Limits
When are sealants not enough, or not the right choice?
A sealant is a preventive step, and the dentist may advise something else in these situations:
- The tooth already has a cavity, which needs a filling.
- The cavity is deep or the tooth is infected, which needs more treatment.
- The cavities are between the teeth, where a sealant does not reach.
- The tooth cannot be kept dry, so a different material or a later visit is used.
- Diet and cleaning are poor, because a sealant cannot offset them.
For children with decayed baby teeth, see root canal for children. For sensitivity, see sensitive teeth.
Risks and complications
Sealants can chip, wear away or come off, especially when chewing hard food, and they may need to be repaired or replaced. If a sealant lifts at the edge, bacteria can get under it and a cavity can form without being noticed, which is why it is checked at each visit.
In the Cochrane review, little information on harms was reported, and no adverse effects were found where they were looked for.2 A rare allergic reaction to a material is possible.
Sealants lower the chance of a cavity in the groove but do not remove the risk altogether, and the evidence for glass ionomer is limited.2
A sealant lowers the risk in the grooves, and regular checks catch a lifted one early.
08 Your visit
What happens at my first sealant appointment in Kondapur?
At the first visit the dentist looks at your or your child's back teeth, checks for cavities and tells you which teeth would benefit. Often the sealants are placed in the same visit. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.
Tell the dentist about allergies, and for a child, about how well the child copes with dental visits. For a nervous child, a short visit first can help.
The team speaks English, Telugu and Hindi. You are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.
The visit is short, and sealing often happens on the same day.
09 Why this clinic
Why choose Elite Dental Clinic for sealants in Kondapur?
Medical reviewer of this page
Dr. Revathi Indukuri
BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics)
BDS, Sree Sai Dental College Research Institute, 2009
MDS, Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, 2016
The deep grooves on the chewing surface of a back tooth are where most children's first cavities begin, because a toothbrush bristle cannot reach the bottom. A sealant is a quick way to close that groove before decay starts. It takes minutes, needs no needle and removes no tooth.
Dr. Revathi Indukuri
Dr. Revathi Indukuri reviewed this page as a dentist at the clinic. Her MDS in conservative dentistry and endodontics is the speciality concerned with saving teeth from decay. The clinic's team board also lists a pediatric dentist, who looks after children's teeth.
Part of a prevention plan
Sealants are advised with a check-up, cleaning and fluoride where needed, so you get a full plan.
Gentle with children
Each step is explained in simple words, and the visit is paced for the child.
A written plan before treatment
You receive a written plan before any treatment starts, so you know what is being done.
Checked at every visit
Sealants are looked at during check-ups, and repaired if they chip.
A prevention plan, a gentle approach and a written plan are what this clinic stands behind.
10 Reviews
Patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic in Kondapur
Recent patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic
“Very excellent service provided and dr Revathi mam was very kind and done too professional service..towards patient.. I am very happy that I got to know about elite dental clinic”
“Very good treatment and I had an excellent experience at this dental hospital.”
11 Visit us
Dentist in Kondapur, Hyderabad: location, hours and access
Elite Dental Clinic
2nd floor, Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 am to 9:00 pm |
|---|
The clinic is on the second floor of Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics, in Raghavendra Colony.
Parents looking for dental sealants in Kondapur will find the clinic above Vijaya Diagnostics in Artham's Arcade, Raghavendra Colony. Sealants for kids in Kondapur are placed during an ordinary check-up visit. Languages spoken: English, Telugu and Hindi. More about the clinic: dentist in Kondapur.
The clinic is on the second floor above Vijaya Diagnostics and is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
12 Travelling patients
Sealants in Hyderabad for families from other cities and countries
If you are visiting or have moved to Hyderabad, connect with the clinic on WhatsApp or by phone to find a time. Sealing is quick and can be done in a single visit along with a check-up.
Ask the team which back teeth your child has that are ready for sealing and how often to review them, so you can follow up with a dentist at home.
The clinic is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and the team speaks English, Hindi and Telugu.
A single short visit can protect the back teeth.
13 Questions
Sealant questions from patients in Kondapur
What is a pit and fissure sealant?
It is a thin coating, usually a resin or a glass ionomer, painted into the deep grooves on the chewing surface of a back tooth and hardened. It smooths the surface so that food and bacteria cannot settle in the grooves, which helps prevent cavities there.
Are sealants good for children?
Yes. A Cochrane review of resin sealants in children and teenagers found that sealed first molars had far fewer cavities than unsealed ones at 24 months, with benefit still seen up to 48 months. The evidence was of moderate quality, and sealing helps most soon after the tooth comes in.
Does getting a sealant hurt?
No. There is no needle and no drilling. The tooth is cleaned, dried, coated and hardened with a light. Children usually find it easy, though keeping the mouth open for a few minutes can be tiring.
How long do sealants last?
They can last for years, but they wear, and no one can promise how long. The dentist checks them at each visit and repairs or replaces one that has chipped or lifted. Chewing hard food shortens the life of a sealant.
At what age should sealants be done?
Soon after a back tooth comes through the gum. For the first adult molars this is about 6 years, and for the second adult molars about 12 years. Teenagers and some adults with deep grooves can have them too.
Can a sealant be put over a cavity?
No. A tooth with a cavity needs a filling. A sealant is used on healthy teeth, or on a groove with only a very early change that the dentist judges can be watched. The dentist checks the tooth first.
How is the cost of sealants decided?
The cost is given after the check-up. The number of teeth, the material, whether it is done with a cleaning or fluoride, and whether any filling is needed first all change it. You receive a written plan before treatment starts.
Do sealants replace brushing and fluoride?
No. A sealant protects only the grooves on the chewing surface. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, less sugar and fluoride treatment protect the rest of the tooth.
14 Second opinion
Want to protect your child's back teeth?
Book a check-up and the dentist will look at your child's back teeth and tell you which ones can be sealed. Call or send a WhatsApp message to book. The visit is the first step, and you are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.
15 Related
Treatments often considered alongside sealants
Fluoride treatment
Strengthens the enamel on all tooth surfaces.
Dental fillings
For a cavity that has already formed.
Teeth cleaning
Done alongside sealing at a check-up.
Sources
- Cavities (Mouth Healthy), American Dental Association
- Pit and fissure sealants for preventing dental decay in permanent teeth (Cochrane review), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017
- Fluoride (Mouth Healthy), American Dental Association
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination, and results vary between patients.