What are dental sealants?
A sealant is placed onto the back permanent molars on children soon after they have erupted to prevent dental decay. A sealant is a plastic barrier that is put into the pits and fissures on the chewing surface of the molars. Sealants are easy for the dentist to apply and only take a few minutes for each tooth. They are safe, painless, and require no drilling.
Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. They cannot protect in between the teeth. Sealants are made of a shaded plastic that are painted onto the deep pits and grooves of the back teeth (molars). Sealants “seal out” food and plaque and provide a shallow, smooth surface for the toothbrush to clean effectively. They are quickly and painlessly applied to baby teeth and permanent teeth that, in the dentist’s opinion, are at risk of decay on the biting surface of the tooth. Sealants must be checked periodically and replaced or maintained when necessary. Sealants generally last for many years; however, eating sticky or chewy foods can pull them out. Ice chewing can fracture sealants and would require replacing.
A dental sealant works like a raincoat for the tooth. Cavities most commonly develop on the biting surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) due to the existence of deep pits and fissures. If these grooves are deep, it is impossible to clean them sufficiently with normal brushing. One way to prevent these areas from getting cavities is to flow a plastic resin into the grooves and thereby stop bacteria and food from reaching these areas. This plastic resin is called a “sealant.” Sealants do not require freezing or drilling. Our goal is to try to help children avoid ever getting cavities by using sealants and encouraging regular check ups that include fluoride treatment and training of home care activities, such as brushing and flossing.
The chewing surfaces of children’s teeth are the most susceptible to cavities. Studies show that 4 out of 5 cavities develop on the biting surface of back molars in children under the age of fiveteen. Molars,commonly, have decay on the biting surfaces because plaque accumulates in the tiny grooves. Sealants are adhesive coatings that are applied to the tops of the back teeth and can be highly effective in preventing tooth decay by sealing the grooves.
Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth ( molars) where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded plastic, sealants are painted into the tiny grooves in the molars. By “sealing out” food and plaque, sealants reduce the risk of decay. They are quickly and painlessly applied to any permanent teeth that, in the dentist’s opinion, are likely to develop decay on the biting surface. Sealants must be checked periodically and replaced when necessary though they generally last for several years.
