Patient Education

Dental Sealants

Long-Term Protection Without Detection

Many people have deep pits and grooves in their teeth, making them especially susceptible to decay. Children with poor brushing habits may also develop decay easily on their newly erupted molar surfaces. And although both of these situations may have previously meant cavity trouble at each dental visit, dental sealants now offer a means of successfully protecting molar and premolar chewing surfaces from decay. Recognized by the American Dental Association as a key means of cavity prevention, dental sealants are simply a thin plastic film that can be applied to your at-risk tooth surfaces.

Sealants are particularly simple to apply. First, we identify and fill any spots of decay, then prepare your teeth with a cleaning and etching solution. After about 15 seconds, we thoroughly rinse the solution, dry the surface, coat your teeth with the sealant, and harden it with a curing light. The entire procedure is not only painless, but fast: requiring between ten and forty-five minutes, depending on the number of teeth we're sealing.

Properly applied, dental sealants create an impenetrable physical barrier for small food particles and cavity-causing bacteria, making them nearly 100 percent effective in preventing tooth surface decay and the resulting cavities. Unbroken, they last between five and ten years. And although most insurance companies only cover sealant procedures at a minimal level, more and more companies seem to be recognizing this technique's value as a preventive measure that will help reduce future dental costs and more aggressive treatments.

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