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Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are placed on the chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth to help protect them from cavity formation.

Why are dental sealants placed on teeth?

Dental Sealants Help Protect Teeth From Cavities

The chewing surfaces of the molar and premolar teeth have grooves — “fissures” — that make them more likely to get cavities. These fissures can be deep, difficult to clean, and can be narrower than even a single bristle of your tooth brush.   Plaque sticks in these areas creating the environment for cavities to form.  Dental sealants provide extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas by creating a smooth surface covering over the fissured area.

When is the best time to have dental sealants placed?

The best time for dental sealants to be placed is when the tooth first completely emerges from the gum.  This way there has been little chance that a cavity has started to form in the grooves of the teeth.  This early protection can help get through the years when a child may be most susceptible to decay.  Molars are often the recipients of this treatment.  However the other back teeth, the premolars, can benefit from this preventive measure as well.

Are dental sealants only placed on the chewing surfaces of molar and premolar permanent teeth?

Dental sealants are usually placed on the chewing surfaces of these teeth because these are the areas and teeth that typically have deep fissures (grooves). Dental sealants are sometimes also used on other permanent teeth if they have grooves or pits, to help protect these surfaces.

What do dental sealants look like?

Dental sealants can be clear, white or have a slight tint depending upon the dental sealant used.

How are dental sealants placed?

First, the tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned with a paste and rotating brush by your dentist or hygienist.  Next the tooth is washed with water and dried. Then a solution that is acidic is placed on the fissured area of the tooth’s chewing surface for a number of seconds before being rinsed off. This etches the surface to create a microscopically roughened surface on the enamel to increase adherence of the sealant.  After the tooth is dried again, the liquid dental sealant is placed on the tooth and hardened.

Dental sealants are hardened by using a special blue light. Once the dental sealant has cured by the light it becomes a hard plastic coating, and you can chew on the tooth again.  In some cases it may feel a little funny when you bite down but within a day or so this evens out and feels normal again.

How long does a dental sealant last?

Dental sealants have been used and have been proven to be effective since the 1970s. Studies have shown that they help to prevent decay on the chewing (occlusal) surfaces. Typically dental sealants last many years.

Contact Morgan Dental Care today to learn more about sedation dentistry and schedule an appointment- (207) 839-2655. 

Morgan Dental Care- serving the Greater Portland Maine area: Gorham, Westbrook, Portland, South Portland, Windham, Scarborough, Standish, and the surrounding areas.

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