Sealants are liquid
coatings that harden on the chewing surfaces of teeth and are showing a great
deal of effectiveness in preventing cavities—even on teeth where decay has
begun.
The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for
opportunistic decay. Even regular brushing sometimes misses these intricate
structures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
The sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces and are
designed to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep
crevices on the tops of 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 (especially on molars) because in many cases, decay has
not set in. Even on teeth where decay is present, sealants have been shown to fight
additional damage.
Application
Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The
procedure is followed by “etching” the tooth with a chemical 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.