Sealants

SEALANTS:

Sealants protect the grooved surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities are found in children.  Sealants are a plastic ceramic material which is flowed onto the grooves of the tooth and allowed to harden by a special light.  It is a quick and painless procedure which only takes one visit to the dentist. 

Natural saliva usually keeps the smooth surfaces of teeth clean but does not wash out the grooves in the back teeth.  Teeth with the most risk of decay are the six year molars and the twelve year molars.  However, any tooth with grooves may benefit from the protection of sealants.