We are dedicated to providing preventative care that ensures the long-term health of your smile. Dental sealants are a simple, effective solution we offer to protect teeth from decay, especially for our younger patients. By forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth, sealants can significantly reduce the potential for tooth decay.

A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth—primarily the back teeth (molars and premolars). These are the areas most susceptible to cavities due to the prevalence of grooves and depressions that can accumulate food particles and bacteria. Once applied, the sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective barrier over the enamel of each tooth.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

While children and teens are the primary candidates for dental sealants, adults can also benefit from them, especially if they have deep grooves and depressions in their molars and premolars and no existing decay or fillings. Children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. This way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.

The process of applying sealants is quick, painless, and can be completed in a single visit to our office:

1. Cleaning: The teeth that will be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
2. Preparation: Each tooth is then dried, and an absorbent material is placed around it to keep it dry.
3. Application: The sealant is then applied onto the enamel surface of the tooth and is hardened using a special light.