Sealant is a white or clear plastic material that is applied to the biting (depression and grooves) surfaces of the back permanent teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay-prone areas of the back teeth from plaque and acid. Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to keep them clean. Sealant protects these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.
Procedure: It’s a quick and painless process. It is applied on the first and second molars (age 6 and 12 respectively). The tooth is cleaned and dried before placing an acidic gel on the teeth. This gel roughs up the tooth surface so that a strong bond will form between the tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off and dried again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is then shone to harden (cure) the sealant.