What Are Sealants?
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 shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
How the Procedure Is Done?
The process is usually quick and straightforward, taking only a few minutes for each tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard – usually by shining a bright light onto it.
How Pit and Sealants Work?
The sealant forms a smooth, protective barrier by covering all the little grooves and dips in the surface of the tooth. Dental decay easily starts in these grooves if they are not sealed.
What Age Should Be Applied?
This is usually between 3 and 4 years of age for primary molars. Then at the age of 6 and 7 years for permanent first molar sealed as soon as they appear and any time between 11 and 14 years of age for premolars and second molars.