Sealants
What are sealants?
Sealants are a thin plastic coating which is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth to prevent tooth decay. The liquid coating is painted on and bonds to the depressions and grooves of the teeth forming a protective shield.
Regular brushing can miss grooves and other areas on the chewing surfaces of the teeth but sealants protect these areas from decay by sealing out plaque and food.
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.
Application:
The application of sealants is painless and quick.
- Teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
- Each tooth to be sealed is dried.
- An safe acid etch solution is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up, which facilitates bonding.
- Teeth are rinsed and dried.
- Sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. A curing light is used to help the sealant harden.
Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for up to ten years but need to be checked for wear regularly. Sealants can be replaced as required.
