Dental Sealants
How Sealants Protect Your Smile
Dental sealants are a simple preventive treatment that helps protect your teeth, especially the back ones, from cavities. Molars and premolars often have deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria can get trapped. Even with careful brushing and flossing, these narrow spaces can be hard to clean completely.
Sealants work by creating a smooth, protective coating over the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This barrier helps keep plaque and debris out, reducing the chance of decay. The process is quick, minimally-invasive, and practical way to support your long-term oral health.
At Somerset Dental Group, we consider sealants an important part of preventive care. By protecting teeth early, it's our goal to reduce your risk of future dental issues, help minimize the need for restorative treatments, and support your efforts to maintain a strong, healthy smile for years to come.
Who Benefits from Sealants?
Dental sealants are one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, making them a smart option for a range of patients.
Children & Teens
Children and teens are the group that benefits most from dental sealants. When permanent molars and premolars come in around ages six and twelve, these teeth can be especially vulnerable to cavities.
Because young patients are still developing consistent brushing and flossing habits, sealants provide an extra layer of protection during the years when decay is most likely to occur.
In certain situations, we may also recommend sealants for baby molars. Protecting these teeth can help with chewing, maintain proper spacing, and support healthy long-term dental development.
Adults
Many adults have deep grooves in their molars that can be difficult to clean thoroughly. Even with careful brushing and flossing, plaque and bacteria can get trapped in these areas.
For healthy teeth that haven’t developed cavities in these grooves yet, sealants can offer added protection. They can be particularly helpful for adults with a history of frequent cavities or for anyone looking to take a proactive approach to maintaining their oral health.
What to Expect During Treatment
Applying dental sealants is a simple procedure that provides an extra layer of protection for your teeth.
The process begins with a thorough cleaning of the tooth’s surface to remove any plaque or debris. Keeping the tooth dry is essential for the sealant to adhere properly, so the dentist or hygienist will isolate it using cotton rolls or a gentle suction device.
Next, a mild etching solution is applied to the enamel. This slightly roughens the surface, creating tiny grooves that help the sealant bond securely to the tooth.
After the solution is rinsed away and the tooth is dried, the sealant material is carefully painted into the natural grooves and pits of the tooth. The material flows into these tiny spaces to form a smooth, protective layer over the chewing surfaces.
Once the sealant is in place, a special curing light is used to harden the material, turning it into a durable coating that can help shield teeth from plaque and debris. The entire procedure usually takes only a few minutes per tooth and is comfortable for patients of all ages.
Sealants aren't made to replace brushing and flossing, but they do provide extra protection.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and keeping up with regular dental check-ups will help ensure your sealants continue to provide effective protection for many years.