One of the most common places that tooth decay develops is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The depressions and grooves in our back teeth, called pits and fissures, help grind food. These areas can also easily collect bacteria and food causing tooth decay. Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth with floss will remove the bacteria from the smooth surfaces of the enamel, but it’s difficult to keep the pits and fissures clean. Toothbrush bristles can not reach into these deep grooves. Sealants fill in these grooves, acting as barriers so food and bacteria can’t get in and cause decay. Sealants are simple to apply and are done with no anesthetic in minutes. First, the teeth are cleaned to get ready for the sealant. Then the sealant is painted into the grooves and cured using a light where it bonds to the enamel of the tooth. Dental sealants save time and money as well as your natural teeth in avoiding tooth decay.

Advantages of dental sealants

• Avoids decay and restorations on teeth
• Avoids anesthetic, time and expenses associated with fillings
• Conserves valuable natural tooth structure

Disadvantages

• Cost and time in placing the sealants