Dental Sealants

One of the most common places that tooth decay develops is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, called premolars and molars. When you run your tongue along the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, you can feel depressions and grooves. These indentations, called pits and fissures, help to grind food.

Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner helps remove food particles and bacteria from the smooth surfaces of tooth enamel. However, pits and fissures are difficult to keep clean. That's because toothbrush bristles can't reach into the microscopic grooves to remove plaque bacteria and tiny particles of food.

Because fits and fissures are difficult to clean, your dentist may recommend dental sealants. A dental sealant is a plastic materials that is applied to a chewing surface of a back tooth. The sealant acts as barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acid.

Dental sealants have been used for more than two decades. They can benefit children and adults. The likelihood of developing tooth decay on the chewing surfaces begins early in life, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates for sealants. Adults can benefit from sealants too because you never "outgrow" cavities. Sealants protect vulnerable areas, such as pits and fissures, by sealing out plaque and food.

The procedure is simple and fast and there is little, if any , discomfort. First, the teeth to be sealed are throughly cleaned and conditioned. The dentist then applies the sealant to the tooth's chewing surface where it bonds with the enamel. A special curing light may be used to help the sealant harden.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth's chewing surface will be protected from decay. Sealants, which hold up well under the incredible force of everyday chewing, usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. The dentist checks their condition during a regular examination.

When it comes to your health, prevention is always better than treatment. Properly applied and maintained sealants are extremely helpful in preventing pit and fissure decay and they are cost-effective.