Sealants

We love it when our patients need little to no dental treatment. Children face fewer future dental problems when they enter adulthood with the fewest possible restored teeth.

Sealants can significantly reduce the number of cavities a child develops, especially in their permanent molars. The chewing surface of molars features deep grooves that look like deep canyons under a microscope.  Although these grooves are usually narrower than a toothbrush bristle, bacteria reside in them.  Bacteria may produce acid that attacks the groove and leads to cavities.

Sealing the grooves of molars at a young age dramatically cuts the risk of cavities. Better yet, sealants take just a few minutes and don’t require any numbing. Sealant material leaves a smooth surface by filling in the grooves and keeping food and bacteria out.  A resin material is flowed across the grooves and sets within a few seconds with a special curing light. It doesn’t take long to cut the risk of cavities with sealants.

Sealants may chip away after a few years, but they’re easy to repair or replace. Research shows a 90% reduction in cavities that form in the chewing surface of sealed molars. This cost-effective, simple step may help your child enter adulthood stronger, healthier teeth!