What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin, tooth-colored acrylic coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. They flow into the deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria love to hide, creating a smooth, protective barrier that your toothbrush can easily clean.
Research shows that 75% of cavities begin in the hard-to-clean grooves of molars and premolars. Sealants are one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent decay in these vulnerable areas.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Sealants are most commonly recommended for:
- Children and teens aged 6 to 16, the most cavity-prone years. The ideal time is when the first permanent molars come in around age 6 and again when the second molars appear around age 12.
- Adults with deep grooves in their teeth who have not previously had decay or fillings in those areas
- Baby teeth with deep depressions in some cases, to protect these important placeholders for permanent teeth
The Sealant Process
Applying sealants is quick, painless, and does not require any drilling or anesthesia:
- The tooth is cleaned and dried thoroughly
- An etching solution is applied to roughen the surface for better adhesion
- The tooth is rinsed and dried again
- The sealant material is painted onto the tooth surface
- A curing light hardens the sealant in seconds
The entire process takes just a few minutes per tooth, and your child can eat and drink normally right away.