Dental Sealants

     Sealants are simply a thin plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of back teeth as a means of helping to prevent tooth decay. The white film (plaque) that remains on the teeth over time causes tooth decay and without proper removal, it forms a cavity. Sealants are an effective way of blocking plaque from forming on hard-to reach areas with your toothbrush. They are typically applied to permanent molars and premolars, but can be applied to baby teeth. Sealants can be clear, white or tinted and can’t be seen when you talk or smile, because they are only applied to the back teeth.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

  » Cover pits and grooves where bacteria and food lodge to cause tooth decay
  » Applied to those “hard-to-reach-teeth” that are more likely to collect plaque in their deep and narrow pits
  » Can be effective up to ten years
  » Cost effective – on average, the cost to apply a sealant is approximately one-half to one third the cost of filling a cavity in the tooth

The Procedure

Applying dental sealants is an easy and simple process. First, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned. Next, a mild acid solution is applied to help bond the sealants properly. Lastly, the sealant is placed on the tooth to seal the grooves and only takes about 60 seconds to harden. That is it, no discomfort and it is done very quickly.