Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a pain-free dentistry application, and they don’t require any drilling. Dental sealants and fillings are different, and while fillings require drilling and numbing shots sealants is like a plastic seal. To apply a dental sealant, first our dentists thoroughly clean and dry your tooth. Then, they apply an etching solution gel to the tooth’s surface before cleaning and drying it again. This process helps the liquid sealant adhere to the tooth better. Once the liquid sealant is applied, we use a special curing light to harden it. The entire procedure can be done in just one sitting!

The best candidates for dental sealants are children who have permanent molars. The first permanent molars grow in between 5 and 7 years old. The next molars usually grow in between 11 and 14 years old. Adults and teens can also get sealants on their teeth as long as they don’t have any cavities in those teeth. If a patient already has cavities in their teeth already, we’re not able to cover that filling or cavity with sealants, and we treat the teeth using other methods.

Dentists have been using dental sealants for over 30 years. Several dental studies prove that sealants are extremely effective in preventing cavities in the pits, grooves, and crevices on our teeth. The areas that remain sealed are 100 percent protected from tooth decay, and damaged or lost sealants can quickly be repaired or replaced.

If your teeth have sealants, it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for brushing and flossing. Dental sealants can be maintained through regular tooth maintenance and cleanings. It is still important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss on a regular basis to prevent plaque build-up and cavities.