What are dental sealants?
Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs in these surfaces. Sealants are put on in dentists’ offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth. Sealants are clear or tinted. Tinted sealants are easier to see. • Are sealants new? No, sealants are not new. They have been around for a long time! Research by NIDCR and others led to the development of sealants in the early 1960s. But many people still do not know what sealants are. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of children in the United States have sealants! • Why get sealants? By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay. • Who should get sealants? Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in — before decay attacks the teeth.
A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that your pediatric dentist may apply to the chewing surfaces of your childs adult molars (back teeth). Because the back teeth have depressions and grooves on their chewing surfaces, they are difficult or impossible to clean. By protecting the depressions and grooves with a coating of sealant, your pediatric dentist can dramatically reduce the risk of decay for children and teens.
Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of a clear or shaded composite resin, sealants are painted onto the tiny grooves and depressions in the molars. By “sealing out” food and plaque, sealants reduce the risk of decay. They are quickly and painlessly applied to any baby teeth and permanent teeth that, in Dr. Parker’s opinion, are likely to develop decay in the chewing surface. Sealants must be checked periodically and replaced or repaired when necessary, though they generally last for several years. Back to top.
Dental sealants are a great way to protect your child’s permanent teeth from cavities. Dental sealants are a clear and protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are most commonly placed on children’s permanent back teeth because they are more prone to cavities. Most insurance companies pay for sealants on children’s teeth. They can also be placed on adult’s teeth, however, insurance usually won’t cover them.
