Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a clear material that’s painted onto your tooth’s surface. This process “seals” the pits and grooves of your teeth, acting as a shield that blocks out germs and keeps bacteria from damaging your enamel.
We often recommend dental sealants for children and teens, as they’re usually less diligent about brushing and flossing. But a dental sealant treatment can benefit you at any age.
Ask about adding a sealant treatment during your next teeth cleaning visit!
Here’s how it works:
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We’ll start with a clean mouth (this is a great treatment to get at the end of your dental cleaning)
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Your hygienist will paint a thin layer of protective resin on the surface of your teeth
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Make sure you wait an hour before drinking or eating anything
That’s it! A sealant treatment protects against 80% of cavities for 2 years.
How long do sealants last?
When combined with at-home brushing and flossing, the benefits of our dental sealant treatments will last for years! Dental sealants protect against 80% of cavities for 2 years and 50% of cavities for 4 years. We can replace your sealant in the future as necessar
Why do I still need to have my teeth cleaned at least twice a year if I have a dental sealant?
Yes. Although at-home care combined with dental sealants help protect against cavities, certain areas of your mouth are difficult to reach and most people experience some plaque and tartar buildup no matter how diligent their dental hygiene habits are. Professional dental cleanings are the extra step needed to keep bacteria-filled tartar from building up and hurting your gums or causing decay.
Do you recommend sealants?
Dental sealants are most often recommended for children. They are frequently recommended for the permanent molars as soon as they come in, usually between the ages of 6 and 12 years We may also recommend dental sealants for adult patients whose teeth are prone to decay or have not been restored or suffered from decay in the past.