Sealants

A healthy smile can help you feel and look good throughout your life.  The first step in maintaining a healthy mouth is preventing tooth decay, and sealants can help you protect your mouth against cavities.

What is the purpose of sealants?
Although effective brushing and flossing help to protect your teeth against cavities, pits and fissures can be very difficult to clean.  Toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way down into these grooves to properly remove food and plaque.  Permanent molars are especially susceptible to decay in these hard-to-clean areas.  Sealants protect these areas by 'sealing out' decay-causing substances.

What is involved in the application of sealants?
Sealants are easy to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth.  First, the teeth are cleaned and then the chewing surfaces are conditioned to facilitate adherence.  The sealant is then 'painted' onto the tooth enamel and hardens.

How long do they last?
Sealants protect your teeth from decay as long as they are in tact.  Depending on your patterns of wear, they usually last several years before needing to be replaced.

Patients of any age can benefit from sealants.  Their ability to protect your teeth against decay makes them a good preventative investment in the life and health of your teeth!