Back teeth (molars and premolars) have deep pits and grooves which are not accessible by toothbrush bristles. These deep pits and grooves almost always collect food and bacteria which place the tooth at risk for cavities. Dental sealants prevent the formation of pit and fissure cavities that can propagate in the deep grooves and pits of posterior (back teeth).
Sealants, which are made of a BPA free white resin material that is painted on the tooth as a liquid then quickly hardened by a curing light, can be used to fill the deep pits and grooves of the tooth to create an impenetrable physical barrier from small food particles and cavity causing bacteria.
How are Dental Sealants Applied?
The process to apply modern resin-based dental sealants is extremely easy and totally painless. First we will identify teeth in your mouth that are susceptible to decay. After these teeth have been identified we will clean them using the same a small mechanical brush to remove any debris on the tooth. After the tooth is clean we will apply a gel etchant to each tooth being sealed. The etchant further cleans the teeth and it makes the sealant bond to the teeth better. After the etchant is rinsed off the teeth are air-dried and the resin sealant is gently painted on the teeth. Once we have it positioned appropriately on the teeth, we use a blue light to cure (harden) the resin. The whole process takes just minutes.
Our dental sealant material is 100% BPA free and is professionally applied by one of our registered dental hygienists. The application is painless and the sealants typically last between 5-6 years making them an affordable and effective way to prevent tooth decay.
