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Sealant FAQ's
What is a sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth
to prevent cavities.
How effective are sealants?
Properly applied sealants are 100-percent effective in protecting the tooth surfaces
from cavities. As long as the sealant remains intact, small food particles and bacteria
that cause cavities cannot penetrate through or around a sealant. Sealant protection
is reduced or lost when part or all of the bond between the tooth and sealant is
broken.
Why can't I just brush and floss?
While brushing and flossing help to remove food particles and plaque from smooth
surfaces of teeth, toothbrush bristles often can't reach into the teeth's depressions
and grooves. Sealants protect those areas and prevent food and bacteria from getting
in.
How are sealants applied?
Your dentist can apply sealants and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth.
The dentist first cleans the teeth that will be sealed, which may require the use
of a dental drill to open the grooves of the teeth and determine if decay is present.
Then he or she will roughen the chewing surfaces with an acid solution, which will
help the sealant stick to the teeth. The dentist then "paints" the sealant on the
tooth. It bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes your dentist will use
a special curing light to help the sealant harden. Sealant treatment is painless
and takes anywhere from five to 45 minutes to apply, depending on how many teeth
need to be sealed. Sealants must be applied properly for good retention.
How long will a sealant last?
As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from
decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last
several years before a reapplication is needed. The risk of decay decreases significantly
after sealant application. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will
check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.
Who should receive sealant treatment?
Children, because they have newly erupted, permanent teeth, receive the greatest
benefit from sealants. The chewing surfaces of a child's teeth are most susceptible
to cavities. It has been observed that the majority of all cavities occur in the
narrow pits and grooves of a child's newly erupted teeth because food particles
and bacteria cannot be cleaned out. Other patients also can benefit from sealant
placement, such as those who have existing pits and grooves susceptible to decay.
Sealants are not just for kids
Decay can begin early in life, so dentists usually apply sealants to children's
and teenagers' premolars and molars to protect them. But sealants can protect adults'
teeth, too. Ask your dentist about sealants for your children or for yourself to
see if they would be beneficial.