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Sealants are thin plastic coatings put on molars to protect the chewing surface, and put on any teeth that contain deep fissures. Three-quarters of all tooth decay starts in these fissures because they cannot be effectively cleaned. The sealant works like a paint to fill in the cracks on the tooth's surface and make it smooth.
Like paint, sealants will last for many years, but must be inspected at each visit to the dentist to make sure it has not chipped off or worn down.
These are some of the particular times that sealants are used:
- As soon as the first permanent molars erupt for a child, and any time after that when young adults are prone to getting cavities
- When adults without cavities are noted to have deep fissures in their teeth that may lead to decay down the road
- When infants get their baby teeth in, but only if they show signs of deep cracks or the baby is prone to getting cavities. This is not a normal practice but is done on occasion.
What All is Involved in Applying Sealant?
Your family dentist or hygienist will put the sealant on, taking only a minute or so per tooth to apply.
To prepare for sealant application, the teeth are first cleaned, and then cotton is stuffed in all around the teeth to keep the area dry. The dentist will then put a liquid surfactant on each tooth to act as a primer and to help the sealant penetrate the tiny grooves once it is applied. The dentist will wash off the remaining solution and dry the teeth. He will then go back and paint each tooth with sealant to protect the surface and fill in the fissures. At this point, the sealant will either harden quickly on its own, or a special ultra-violet light will be used to harden the sealant.
The sealants will last a long time if they are cared for regularly, checked at every visit to the dentist, brushed and cleaned often, and not exposed to high-sugar diets.
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