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Sealants
What is a sealant?
Although brushing and flossing are the best tools for cavity prevention, leftover food and bacteria can get stuck in those hard to reach places. Another tool for cavity protection is a sealant. A sealant is a thin, protective coating made of plastic bonded onto the grooves of your molars to protect teeth from acids from food, to keep cavity causing bacteria out, and to make the molars more cleansable.
Who can get sealants?
Sealants are suitable for anyone with molars and are generally recommended for 6 and 12 year molars, and for people who have deep grooves in their molars.
Children, teens, and adults are all eligible for sealants.
If you’re worried about cavity prevention, ask your dentist if sealants are the right choice for you.
How long does the treatment take?
Usually getting a sealant takes a single appointment. The process takes three steps:
- Tooth preparation. Your tooth is cleaned to make sure any food leftover or plaque is removed. Then, your tooth is etched to create a better surface for the sealant to bond.
- Sealant application. The sealant is applied to the tooth with a brush, then a self-curing UV light is used to bond the sealant to the tooth.
- Evaluation. Your dentist will then ensure that you have an even bite after the sealant application and make adjustments if necessary.