Dental sealants involve applying a clear or opaque tooth-colored material to coat and seal the deep pits and grooves on teeth, making them easier to clean and preventing tooth decay. The process of applying dental sealants is simple and takes about as much time as filling a small cavity.
Procedure for Applying Dental Sealants:
- The dentist cleans the tooth and isolates it from saliva using cotton or a rubber dam, then applies an etching solution to prepare the tooth surface and dries it.
- The sealant material is applied to the pits and grooves of the tooth.
- A curing light is used to harden the material.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants? Dental sealants are recommended for teeth with deep and narrow pits and grooves that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush, typically the first molars that appear at age 6 and the second molars that appear at age 12. While commonly applied in childhood to adolescent years when new permanent teeth have just erupted, dentists may also recommend sealants for other teeth, such as premolars, permanent front teeth, or even baby molars, in any age group if there is a risk and a need for protection.
Benefits of Dental Sealants:
- Prevent decay in teeth with deep pits and grooves.
- Prevent the progression of early-stage tooth decay.
- The procedure for applying dental sealants is straightforward, painless, and quick, which helps prevent decay in areas prone to it.
Source: Dental Faculty, Mahidol University pamphlet on Dental Sealants.
