Sealants2

Sealants

The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. Even
regular brushing sometimes misses some of these intricate structures on the
chewing surfaces of your teeth.

Sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the
intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep crevices on the tops of your
teeth.

Sealants actually were developed about 50 years ago, but didn't become commonly
used until the 1970s. Today, sealants are becoming widely popular and effective;
young children are great candidates for preventative measures like sealants
because in many cases, decay has not set in. Even on teeth where decay is
present, sealants have been shown to fight additional damage.

Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The procedure is followed
by "etching" the tooth with an abrasive substance, which allows the sealant to better
adhere. After the sealant is applied, a warm light source is directed to the site to
promote faster drying. Sealants usually need re-application every five to 10 years.