Tooth Talk

Have you ever had a question about a particular dental procedure or products that you have heard about? Tooth Talk is our way of providing a resource to the community.

SealantsMarch 2007

What is a Sealant? A Sealant is a plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of teeth. These teeth usually include six and twelve year molars of permanent teeth. The plastic resin bonds in the depressions and grooves protecting the surface from plaque and acids (thus helping prevent decay). Children and teenagers are obvious candidates due to eruption schedule and decay prone years. But adults can benefit as well.

Is sealant application a complicated procedure? Your dentist or hygienist can easily apply a sealant. The surface of the tooth is roughened with a solution to help the sealant adhere. The sealant material is painted onto the tooth surface. A light source or a self-hardening system then hardens it. No special precautions are required after the procedure (no numbness).

During your regular dental checkups, the sealant condition is checked. Sealants usually hold up well under chewing force and last several years.