Dental Sealants

Brushing your teeth twice a day and receiving regular checkups and professional cleanings is essential for keeping teeth healthy. However, it is still possible to take protection one step further. Sealants can cover your back teeth, stopping remnants of food from becoming trapped in the fissures.

What Are Sealants?

Sealants are made from a protective coating that sticks to the chewing surface of molars or premolars, keeping teeth safe from bacteria, acid, and plaque. Suitable for new teeth and teeth that have already suffered from decay, sealants are particularly useful for teeth with deep grooves that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush.

Before you receive sealants, we will clean your teeth using a paste and rotating brush. We will then apply an acidic gel to roughen the surface. This allows the sealant to bond to your tooth. We rinse your teeth of the acid after just a few seconds, apply the sealant, and cure the sealant using a special light.

How Effective Are Sealants?

Sealants reduce your risk of cavities by up to 80 percent. This is especially useful for children aged 6 to 11, who tend to be at a higher risk for tooth decay. Children without sealants have, on average, three times as many cavities as children who have sealants on their teeth.

Sealants last for several years, and we will check their condition every time you come in for a checkup. As they are transparent, it is easy for us to check the tooth underneath.

Who Can Receive Sealants?

Anyone can receive sealants, although they are more common for children than adults. We can apply sealants to any back teeth as soon as the entire chewing surface has erupted from the gums. Although sealants tend to be for permanent teeth, they are also a possibility for primary teeth with deep grooves.