Dental Sealants

A sealant is a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves (pits and fissures) in teeth. Over 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves, which are difficult to clean and highly susceptible to cavities. Sealants create a smooth, easy-to-clean surface, protecting the teeth from decay for many years. Regular dental visits are necessary to check for wear or chipping of sealants.

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Reasons for Sealants

  • Children and teenagers: Applied as soon as the six-year molars appear or anytime during the cavity-prone years of 6–16.
  • Adults: Applied to tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.
  • Baby teeth: Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and the child is cavity-prone.

What Sealants Involve

Sealants are easy and quick to apply, typically taking only a few minutes per tooth. The procedure includes:

  1. Thorough cleaning of the teeth to be sealed.
  2. Isolation of the area with cotton to keep it dry.
  3. Application of a special solution to the enamel to help the sealant bond.
  4. Rinsing and drying the teeth.
  5. Careful painting of the sealant material onto the enamel to cover deep grooves or depressions. The material either hardens automatically or with a special curing light, depending on the type used.

Maintaining proper home care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits will help ensure the longevity of your sealants.