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Dental Sealants

Sealants are plastice coatings that are applied to the pits and fissures of a tooth surface to prevent accumulation of decay causing plaque in these areas. They are applied as a flowable liquid that flows into the pits and fissures of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, then hardened with a high intensity dental curing light. This is a simple painless procedure requiring no anesthetic or drilling.

Fluorides have markedly reduced incidence of tooth decay in children on the smooth surfaces of teeth since the early 1970's. By the mid 1980's approximately 90 percent of the decay in children's teeth occured in surfaces with pits or fissures and almost two-thirds were on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These are the areas dental sealants protect. They have been approved for many years by professional health associations and public health agencies. Many people are still unaware of dental sealants today. Less than 25 percent of children in the U.S. have experienced the benefits of dental sealants.

When Should Sealants Be Applied?

Children should get sealants placed as soon as their permanent molars start coming in, before any decay has a chance to occur. This usually starts at about the age of six. At the age of twelve the second molars start coming in. Children should receive the benefits of dental sealants from six until their early teen years. Some adults who experience a high rate of decay can also benefit from sealants in those teeth that have not yet had fillings or crowns.

How Are Sealants Put On?

* The tooth is cleaned
* The tooth is dried, and isolated with cotton
* A solution is put on the tooth that makes the surface a little rough. This makes the bonding of the sealant material stronger
* The tooth is rinsed and dried
* The sealant is applied in liquid form and hardened for 10 seconds with a dental curing light * The sealant is finished

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Dental sealants can remain functional for up to 10 years. However, sealants should continue to be checked every dental checkup to get repairs as needed. If needed, the dentist or dental hygienist can repair the sealants by adding more.

How Can I Get Dental Sealants For My Children?

Talk to your dentist, state or local dental society, or health department. Some schools have programs for sealant application. Check with your school about whether it has a sealant application program.

Steven J. Brazis has practiced family and cosmetic dentistry for 35 years. For more information on children's teeth see his book: Your Children's Teeth: A Parent's Guide To Dental Health