Dental sealants are a great way to prevent tooth decay, especially in children and teenagers. This is due to the early protection of emerging teeth. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces of teeth where the many pits and grooves make it difficult to completely remove sugar and other food particles. Adults will also benefit from sealants on teeth that do not already have a filling. We hope to prevent the need for fillings by sealing children’s permanent teeth early on.
Sealants are a liquid plastic that cures and hardens after it has filled in the pits and grooves on the chewing surface of the back teeth. These teeth are more difficult to clean and are the ones where cavities occur most frequently. Dental sealants are similar in color to the tooth so that there is no cosmetic concern about their appearance. In fact, they are virtually undetectable (as opposed to silver fillings).
It is important to know that while sealants are a big factor in greatly reducing the occurrence of tooth decay, they are still only one aspect of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Since sealants only cover the chewing surfaces of some teeth, decay can occur between teeth and other hard to reach places. Brushing your teeth and flossing are still very important. Under normal circumstances sealants will last several years. We will keep a close eye on them when you come in for your check-up twice a year.