Are pits and fissures the same?

A pit is a small depression on the surface of the tooth, whereas fissures are the grooves that naturally occur on all biting surfaces of teeth. Most of the time, the teeth at the back (the premolars and molars) have the most grooves, however the teeth at the front (incisors and canines) can also have pits and fissures.

What is a pit and fissure?

Pits and fissures are the deep grooves that make up the chewing surfaces of your teeth. These grooves are on both your premolars and molars, but a pit and fissure cavity is usually deeper on the molars than on the premolars.

Is a fissure a pit cavity?

Pit and fissure cavities are commonly found on the rear molars within those grooves on the chewing surface of your teeth. This is a common location for cavities because food can easily get stuck within these grooves. Finally, smooth-surface cavities are those that form on the flat, exterior surfaces of teeth.

Do you know what are pit and fissure sealants?

Pit and fissure sealants technique can be used as part of primary prevention, anteceding the development of dental caries, or as a secondary prevention measure stoping the disease progress. It is a tool for caries prevention on an individual basis or as part of a public health measure for at-risk populations [4].

What is pitting in teeth?

Sometimes the bacteria in plaque changes food starches into acids. When this happens, the acids in plaque start to eat away at the healthy minerals in the tooth enamel. This causes the enamel to wear down and become pitted. Over time, the pits in the enamel increase and grow in size.

Is it normal to have pits in your teeth?

Commonly found on the rear molars, these types of cavities occur on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Since it’s easy for plaque and food to get stuck in the crevices and grooves on the tops of teeth, pit and fissure cavities are quite common, especially for people who don’t brush as often as they should.

What causes pits and fissures in teeth?

As people age, the biting force may be applied unevenly as they chew. This can cause the pits and fissures in teeth to deepen and expand. Also known as abfraction, over time this stress can cause fractures at the neck of the tooth.

What causes pits in teeth?

What is a dental pit?

A pit is a small depression on the surface of the tooth while fissures are the grooves that occur on the biting surfaces of teeth. These pits and fissures occur naturally and can be deep or hollow depending on your teeth condition and age.

Are pits in teeth normal?

Anyone with a hole in a tooth should see a dentist, even if there is no pain. A hole in a tooth is a cavity. As bacteria and acid continue to breach the tooth’s enamel, the cavity grows and tooth decay continues — unless the person receives professional treatment.

Can pitted teeth be fixed?

Both teeth bonding and veneers can restore the natural shape and improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, pitted, broken, discolored, or damaged in other ways. Along with enhancing your child’s appearance, these treatments will boost their confidence and help them feel good about their smile.

How can I clean my teeth pits?

Cleaning can be accomplished using hydrogen peroxide, a toothbrush, a prophy cup or brush, or a prophy jet. Products containing fluoride and/or glycerin are contraindicated and should not be used to clean the tooth. After cleaning, the surface should be rinsed approximately 20 seconds.