What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants help protect teeth from decay. Usually placed over the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars at the back of the mouth, sealants coat grooved areas of the tooth that can be more susceptible to tooth decay, sealing the grooves and protecting the teeth. Teeth with deeper grooves, like the molars and premolars, are more prone to decay because these grooves can be harder to clean, as they may be too narrow or too deep for a toothbrush to adequately clean them. This makes the teeth more vulnerable to trapped food debris and bacteria when the grooves are not sealed. Sealants are most often made of tooth-colored composite resin, though they can also be made of glass ionomers or polyacid resin. According to the American Dental Association, dental sealants reduce the risk of cavities on the teeth where they are placed by as much as 80 percent. While dental sealants are usually placed on children and teenagers shortly after the permanent molars and premolars come in, they can also be placed on adults’ teeth when these teeth don’t already have tooth decay or fillings. Additionally, while sealants most frequently protect the molars and premolars, they can also be used to protect other teeth, wherever a tooth has grooves or pits that can harbor bacteria. Fluoride helps protect the surfaces of the teeth and prevent tooth decay, but sealants provide an extra layer of protection, especially in areas with pits or deep grooves, by smoothing these rough areas and keeping debris and bacteria from settling in the pits or grooves.

How Are Dental Sealants Placed?

Dental sealant placement is a routine procedure, performed by general dentists. Dental sealants can be tinted, white, or clear, depending on the type of sealant that is used. Placing sealants takes a few separate steps.

  • First, the dentist thoroughly cleans the tooth’s surface with toothpaste and a rotating cleaning brush.
  • Then, the dentist rinses the tooth with water, drying it and keeping it dry with gauze.
  • The dentist places an acidic solution on the treatment area, leaving it on for several seconds before rinsing it off. This resurfaces the area of the tooth being treated, helping the sealant attach securely to the tooth.
  • The tooth is dried off once again, and then the sealant is placed onto the tooth.
  • The sealant is then hardened, either with a dental curing light or with a chemical compound.

Once the sealant has completely cured, it becomes a varnish-like coating that seals any grooved or pitted areas and invisibly, securely protects the tooth. Dental sealants can be expected to last several years, and, when a sealant wears down or becomes compromised, your dentist can replace it with a new sealant, providing continuous protection for the tooth. While sealants do serve a protective function, they provide protection only where they’re placed and shouldn’t be considered an alternative to an effective oral hygiene routine. Instead, you should consider dental sealants a complementary protective device that’s supported by twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, and routine visits to the dentist for checkups and cleanings. In combination, all of these treatments and tools can help you and your family maintain strong, healthy smiles for years to come.

Are Dental Sealants Safe?