Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a type of dental therapy that involves applying a plastic material to the chewing surfaces of molars, premolars, and any deep valleys in teeth (known as pits and fissures). Sealants prevent dental caries (cavities) and other forms of tooth decay by sealing deep crevices and creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.

Sealants can last for years and protect teeth from decay, but they must be monitored for wear and chipping at frequent dental visits. Your new sealants will last longer if you take proper care of them at home, eat a healthy diet, and see your dentist on a regular basis.

• Children & Teens – As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16.
• Adults – Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves
  or depressions.
• Baby Teeth – Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves
  or depressions and child is cavity prone.

Dental sealants are painless and are usually administered by your dentist or dental hygienist. They clean and dry the tooth or teeth to be treated before applying a thin layer of liquid plastic material to the tooth’s pits and fissures.

Blue spectrum natural light is flashed on the treated material for a few seconds after the plastic liquid has been applied to cure the plastic. Some sealants, on the other hand, harden automatically.

After curing, the plastic hardens into a thin layer that covers the tooth’s treated areas. Despite the extreme forces placed on teeth every day during chewing, dental sealants can last for five years or longer, though sealants can wear out and can be damaged over time.

Bacteria and food particles can become trapped under dental sealants, causing deterioration in the teeth that were supposed to be protected.

To arrange for your appointment or to request more information:
Please call (905) 664-0808.