Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic films painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – molars and premolars – and are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay (caries and cavities). Dental sealants are particularly effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and plaque build-up.

Sealants are generally used with children, but they can be helpful for adults as well.

The procedure is very easy for both the dentist and the patient. It basically consists of cleaning the teeth and placing the sealant material. A curing light, generally of the blue spectrum, is then allowed to shine on the sealant material. This light starts the chemical process that hardens the sealant material. It is important to keep the tooth dry during the curing process so the sealant will stick to the tooth. No anesthetic is required. Sealants are a safe, effective and economical way to prevent cavities.