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What is a sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolar, (the teeth directly in front of molars). Sealants have been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of cavities and dental decay. Sealants are currently recommended by the American Dental Association for prevention of cavities in children, and are also beneficial for adults.
How effective are sealants? 100% effective!
Scientific studies have proven that properly applied sealants are 100 percent effective in protecting he tooth surfaces from caries as long as the sealant remains intact, caries will not develop beneath it. In fact, research has shown that sealants actually arrest cavities when placed on top of a cavity early in development by sealing off the supply of nutrients to the cavity.
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How are sealants applied?
Sealant application involves first cleaning the surface of the tooth, the site is dried, and the sealant material is applied and a special curing light is used to set the material. Sealant treatment is painless and to application only takes about 10 minutes per tooth.
How long will sealants last?
Sealants should last two years, but can last as long as ten years. One study reported that seven years after application, and impressive 49% of treated teeth were still completely covered. Sealants are not permanent. Regular dental check-ups are necessary to keep track of the sealants� effectiveness.
Who should receive sealant treatment?
Children, because they have newly erupted permanent teeth, receive the greatest benefit from sealants. We recommend them on the 6 year and 12 year molars. The chewing surfaces of children�s teeth are most susceptible to cavities and the least benefited by fluoride. Surveys show that approximately two-thirds of all cavities occur in pits and fissures of children�s newly erupted teeth.
Many other patients also can benefit from sealant placement, particularly patients who have existing pits and fissures susceptible to decay, and those who, for a variety of reasons, may be at a high risk for dental caries. If by using sealants we can prevent the start of decay, we may prevent those larger restorations in the future that in some cases lead to more extensive dental care.
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