A dental sealant is an acrylic like material that helps shield out decay causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant material forms a protective barrier by bonding to tooth surfaces and covering depressions and grooves in the teeth. Unfortunately, they can not be applied to the surfaces in between teeth. We base our diagnosis and recommendation for dental sealants on the patient’s susceptibility to tooth decay and on how the teeth were shaped when they originally formed below the gum. There is no specific age at which sealants are indicated. We often recommend that the best time to apply them is when the six year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear. 

Dental sealants are a painless procedure that only takes a few minutes to complete. A solution is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth to condition the enamel and help it bond more effectively to the sealant material. The tooth is then thoroughly washed and dried. The sealant material is then applied and allowed to harden using an ultraviolet light.

Though dental sealants are not a cure all in preventing tooth decay they are cost effective and helpful to children in controlling decay in certain areas of the mouth. Our goal is to help preserve your smiles throughout your life, and sealants help make that possible. If you have any questions about sealants, please feel free to ask any member of our team.