Sealants

Sometimes brushing is not enough. Everyone has grooves, called pits and fissures, on the chewing surfaces of their teeth. Some people have very deep grooves where tooth brush bristles cannot reach. Even with thorough brushing these grooves are still at risk for tooth decay.

Dental sealant is a plastic resin that bonds to the deep grooves and acts like a barrier to prevent harboring bacteria. When sealing a tooth, the tooth is cleaned and a mild etchant is used to roughen the surface so the sealant can bond to the tooth. Then, the actual sealant material, which looks like a thick liquid substance, is placed in the grooves. Finally, a curing light hardens the sealant material creating a thin coating over the grooves. This procedure requires no injections and is pain free.

Sealants are usually applied to children’s teeth as a preventative measure during the years of most likely tooth decay. However, adult’s teeth can also be sealed. It is more common to seal "permanent" teeth rather than “baby” teeth, but every person has unique needs. Your dentist will recommend sealants on a case by case basis.

Sealants generally last from 3 to 5 years. However, it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealant comes off, please let your dentist know.