Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic that is bonded to the tooth surface as additional protection again tooth decay. This protective coating helps keep bits of food out of the grooves of the teeth and stops bacteria and acid from settling there. According to the American Dental Association, sealants prevent 80% of cavities in the back teeth.

Dental sealants have been used successfully for more than 40 years and continue to grow in popularity. Research shows school-age children (ages 6–11) without sealants have almost 3 times as many cavities in the first molars as children with sealants.

Both children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier they are put on, the better the long-term outcome. Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as they come in. The first molars usually appear around six years old and the second molars roughly six years later. Sealants will protect teeth through a child's most cavity-prone years.

Dental sealants may also benefit baby teeth. Since baby teeth play such an important role in the correct spacing of permanent teeth, it is important to keep those teeth healthy and in place until they are ready to come out. When determining whether to have sealants applied to a younger child, make sure the child can keep their mouth open for an extended period and sit still for the procedure.

In addition to their protective properties, dental sealants have longevity and durability. Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities over 2 years in the back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur. Sealants can even stay in the mouth for as long as nine years.

There are some disadvantages. Children may need to have sealants reapplied if they fall out, chip, or wear away. Dental sealants can get chipped or worn when a patient bites into hard food or eats too much food with high acidic content. It's best to keep a close eye on what a child with sealants consumes, especially right after the sealant is applied. A patient's bite can feel slightly off after application due to the extra layer on the tooth, but this is temporary. During a regular dental visit, we will check the sealant's condition and reapply them as needed. Sealants need to be monitored and maintained during routine visits to ensure they do not wear away.

The procedure used to apply dental sealants is quick and painless. First, the teeth are cleaned and dried. We will then apply an acidic gel to the tooth surface to help create a strong bond between the tooth and the sealant. Once the gel is rinsed off and the teeth dried again, the sealant is applied to the grooves of the chewing surface. A special curing light hardens the sealant onto the tooth.

We will also check the surface for any problems. If any issues are present, the sealant may be touched up or reapplied. Then we will rinse the newly sealed teeth clean. There are no known side effects from the procedure and no eating or drinking restrictions after treatment.

There may be some slight discomfort when the sealants are first applied as the child gets used to having an additional layer of material on their back teeth. Some children complain of a feeling of not being able to fit their back teeth together. The thin film will feel like it's a part of the actual tooth within a day or so.

Other reactions include complaining of an odd taste immediately after sealant application. Usually, a good rinse or a sip of a flavored drink will help eliminate the taste. Our team will help address any issues or concerns after the sealants are applied.