Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) that can prevent cavities for many years. They function much like sealing cracks in a driveway or on the sidewalk. The grooves in the chewing surfaces of back teeth are sealed so that food particles and bacteria will not settle within the fissures, causing cavities. Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities over 2 years in the back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur.
The importance of dental health and preventative care cannot be overstated. Preventive dentistry is the modern way of helping you keep a healthy mouth. It helps you to keep your teeth, and means you need to have less dental treatment. Maintaining good dental hygiene is vital to living a positive, healthy life. Taking charge of your health can be very empowering, and provides you with peace of mind. As is the case with all medical treatment, preventative care can save you time, money and stress.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent tooth decay. They quickly bond into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. By properly sealing the pits and fissures of the teeth, dental sealants can prevent cavities.
The material used for dental sealants is usually a tooth-colored plastic resin material. Manufacturers use a couple of different materials to make sealants, including medical-grade resins (plant or synthetic) and glass ionomers (glass powder combined with a water-soluble acid). The main components of dental sealants include:
- Resin: Resin is typically made of a type of plastic, usually bisphenol-A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) or a similar compound.
- Fillers: To enhance the strength and wear-resistance of sealants, small filler particles like glass or quartz may be added to the resin.
These materials are chosen for their durability and ability to bond well to the tooth’s surface. Although dental materials used to treat and prevent caries, including dental sealants, can contribute to very low-level bisphenol A (BPA) exposure for a few hours after placement, based on current evidence, there is no health concern relative to BPA exposure from any dental material.
Why Dental Sealants are Essential
Dental sealants play a crucial role in preventing tooth decay. They serve as defensive barriers, occupying the pronounced fissures and indentations on the biting surfaces of back teeth, including molars and premolars. This creates a smooth surface that inhibits the accumulation of food particles and bacteria, reducing the risk of decay in these cavity-prone areas.
The sealant is applied to the small grooves or pits known as fissures that occur on the biting surface of your molars (the ‘chewing’ teeth). By providing a protective layer against bacteria that can lead to the development of harmful plaque, dental fissure sealants help to reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from tooth decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
The evidence suggests the superiority of resin-based fissure sealants over fluoride varnishes for prevention of occlusal caries in permanent molars. Dental sealants can be up to 80% more effective at cavity prevention for the first 2 years. Therefore, reapplying every couple of years can be a big saving for the parents and save a lot pain and issues for the children in the long run.
Who Can Benefit from Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are suitable for everyone, but they are most commonly applied to children and teenagers. The grooves and fissures in the teeth of children and teenagers are often deep and can be effectively covered with dental sealants to protect the teeth from cavities and germs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4 in 10 children (42%) aged 6 to 11 years have dental sealants on permanent teeth. Among adolescents aged 12 to 19, 48% have dental sealants on permanent teeth⁶. The CDC also notes that adults aged 20 to 34 have more untreated cavities in their back teeth than any other age group, suggesting that young adults may also benefit from dental sealants.
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend the use of dental sealants on the occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents. They suggest that sealants are effective in preventing and arresting pit-and-fissure occlusal carious lesions.
However, the need for sealants diminishes as teeth mature, making them less common in adults. Despite this, adults with deep pits and grooves in their teeth can still benefit from dental sealants.
The Dental Sealant Application Process
The application of dental sealants is a straightforward, non-invasive, and painless process. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how dental sealants are applied:
1. Clean and Dry the Teeth: The first step involves thoroughly cleaning each tooth that will receive the dental sealants. This helps prevent any issues after the procedure is complete and aids in the effectiveness of the sealants. After cleaning, each tooth is dried, and cotton (or another absorbent material) is placed around each tooth to keep it dry.
2. Apply an Acidic Solution: The next step is to apply an acidic solution. This is used to help the sealant coating bond to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. The application of the solution should not cause any discomfort and does not affect the dental enamel in any way.
3. Rinse and Dry the Teeth: The tooth is then rinsed off thoroughly and dried to ensure the tooth is adequately clean and ready for the dental sealant to be applied. This is easy with the use of non-invasive dental devices and takes less than a few minutes.
4. Paint the Sealant Over the Enamel: After the tooth is thoroughly rinsed and dried and has been roughened up with the acidic solution, the sealant is painted over the enamel. This coating is a thin layer that is just enough to add a layer of protection over the enamel without compromising the appearance of the teeth.
5. Harden the Dental Sealant with a Curing Light: The last step is to harden the dental sealants with a curing light. This allows for a strong and durable hold and reduces the risk of any early complications that require a reapplication of the sealant material. The curing light is generally considered to be safe and non-invasive.
Patients can expect a comfortable and quick procedure that typically takes only a few minutes per tooth. The process does not require drilling or scraping, and numbing medications are almost never needed. After the procedure, patients can resume normal activities right away.
Preparing for a Dental Sealant Application
Preparing for a dental sealant procedure is straightforward. You don’t need to do anything special beforehand. Brushing your teeth and flossing before your appointment is good, but that’s about it. The dental sealant procedure is quick and painless, usually taking only a few minutes per tooth. Here’s what you can expect during the course:
1. Cleaning and Preparing the Teeth: Your dentist or dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove plaque or debris. They will then dry the teeth and isolate them with cotton or another material to keep them dry during the procedure.
2. Applying the Sealant: Once the teeth are clean and dry, the dentist will apply the sealant to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. The bond is a thin, liquid-like material brushed onto the teeth and allowed to flow into the grooves and pits.
3. Curing the Sealant with a Special Light: After applying the adhesive, your dentist will use a special light to cure it. The light activates the chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden and bond to the teeth.
Aftercare and Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Sealants
After the procedure, you can resume normal activities right away. However, there are a few aftercare tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes after the procedure to allow the sealant to harden fully.
- Be sure to brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth and sealants clean.
- Avoid chewing on hard objects. This can damage the sealant or even cause it to come off entirely.
- Do not use toothpaste with abrasives. These can also damage the sealant.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups. Your dentist can check the sealants’ condition and ensure they are still intact.
Benefits and Considerations
1. Dental sealants are highly effective in protecting your teeth from decay and damage.
2. They provide a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and acids that can lead to tooth decay.
3. They are especially beneficial for children and teenagers who may not have the best oral hygiene habits.
4. Dental sealants are a long-lasting solution that can provide protection for many years with proper care.
Considerations for Dental Sealants:
1. Sealants might need to be reapplied if they fall out, chip, or wear away.
2. They may also seal in decay if it already exists.
3. Dental sealants are ineffective when the decays or tooth cavities are very deep.
4. In cases of deep cavities, a more effective treatment such as a root canal may be required.
Effectiveness and Longevity of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants can last many years on average, and sometimes even longer. The duration varies based on individual factors, oral hygiene practices, and the specific type of sealant used. Some patients might experience sealants lasting even longer, while others may require reapplication sooner.
Dental sealants and fluoride complement each other in the fight against tooth decay. The combination of fluoride’s enamel-strengthening properties and sealants’ physical barrier greatly reduces the risk of cavities. Fluoride can penetrate tooth enamel, strengthening it from the inside out. However, three studies including nearly 2,000 participants, showed that sealants reduced the risk of cavities by 73% compared to those who used fluoride varnishes alone.
When to Seek Professional Advice
Signs that dental sealants might be necessary include a high risk of cavities, tartar and plaque formation, and teeth stains. These are significant indicators that cavities are likely to form soon. Children can have tooth sealants as soon as their permanent premolars erupt. Children are more likely to need fissure sealing from a pediatric dentist if their baby teeth had decay or they are deemed to be at a higher risk of decay now.
Regular dental check-ups are important for sealant maintenance. Your dentist can evaluate the sealants’ effectiveness and determine whether they need any necessary upkeep, such as reapplication. At SmileStudio, we recommend regular check-ups to ensure that the beginnings of a filling can be identified treated, and additional brushing routines created.
Concluding Thoughts
Dental sealants play a critical role in oral health. They act as a physical barrier, preventing bacteria and plaque from settling into the nooks and crannies of teeth. By blocking these entry points, sealants significantly reduce the risk of cavities. Sealants provide an extra layer of protection to enhance oral hygiene efforts.
At SmileStudio, we understand the importance of dental sealants in maintaining oral health. We encourage you to consult with our dental professionals to assess the need for sealants. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact us at SmileStudio.

FAQs
1. How long does sealant last on teeth?
Dental sealants can protect the teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. They can last for many years, but they do lose effectiveness over time. According to the CDC, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for 2 years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years.
2. Is sealant necessary on teeth?
Dental sealants can prevent cavities in children and adults for years. They are especially beneficial for children and teenagers who may not have the best oral hygiene habits. However, they are not a substitute for brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet.
3. Are sealants the same as fillings?
No, sealants and fillings are not the same. Fillings are considered restorative therapy, used to repair damage that has occurred to a tooth, usually from dental decay. Sealants, however, are a prophylactic strategy rather than a cure. They are used to cover a portion of a tooth to prevent damage from occurring.
4. How much does it cost to seal a tooth?
The cost of dental sealants can vary, but typically, they cost about $30 to $60 per tooth. However, some insurance or discount plans can reduce that cost.
5. What are the disadvantages of dental sealants?
There are some potential disadvantages or problems with dental sealants. They may need to be reapplied if they fall out, chip, or wear away. Sealants might seal in decay if it already exist. Dental sealants are also ineffective when the decays or tooth cavities are very deep.
6. Can I brush my teeth after sealants?
Yes, you can brush your teeth after getting sealants. Dental sealants are easy to care for and can be brushed and flossed as normal.