Dental Sealants

In young people tooth decay often occurs on the chewing surfaces of molar teeth. Dental sealants are place to protect the teeth from developing decay. Molar teeth have deeper grooves on the chewing surface compared to other teeth, especially in children. The grooves collect food and bacteria and are difficult to keep clean since the toothbrush bristles cannot reach inside them. Dental sealants are placed in the grooves, preventing bacteria from entering the tooth. The dental sealant is a plastic resin that bonds to the tooth and acts as a barrier. Sealants only take a few minutes to apply and do not require any anesthetic or drilling. Sealants last several years and normally do not need to be reapplied.