What are dental sealants and are they effective?
A dental sealant is a plastic resin material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of premolar and molar (back) teeth. This material is actually a thinner version of your tooth colored fillings that is bonded to the grooves and pits of the teeth in a relatively easy procedure. The sealant protects your teeth by acting as a barrier to keep food and bacteria from penetrating and causing cavities. They are effective because all other dental procedures protect the smoother flat surfaces of the teeth but cant reach down into the very small grooves. The sealant is applied to the cleaned and specially treated tooth and then hardened chemically or with a special bonding light. Sealants are safe and are primarily used for children after their molars erupt, typically after the age of six for the first set of molars and age 12 for the second set. Sealants are very effective at preventing cavities and protecting the tooth as long as they remain intact and were done correctly. They are able to wi
