A sealant is a thin, protective coating that is placed on the chewing surface of a back tooth to help protect it from decay.
What are the benefits of sealants?
Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food and plaque from teeth, but they can’t reach all the way into deep grooves. While fluoride helps prevent decay and helps protect the surfaces of teeth, dental sealants add extra protection for grooved and pitted areas.
What can I expect when receiving dental sealants?
Placing dental sealants does not require drilling or numbing medications. Your clinician will first polish the surface of the tooth. After that, they will isolate and dry the tooth before etching the surface. Your clinician will then apply the dental sealant material to the tooth. A light will be used to bond the sealant to the tooth. Finally, the clinician will evaluate the dental sealant. Once it has hardened you can chew on the tooth again.