A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface.
Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.
Reasons For Sealants
- Children and teenagers: As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16
- Adults: Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions
- Baby teeth: Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and the child is cavity prone
What Do Sealants Involve?
Sealants are easily applied by your dentist or dental hygienist and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth.
The teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and then surrounded with cotton to keep the area dry. A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried. Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.
Proper home care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new sealants.
Protect Your Teeth
At South Suburban Family Dental in Blue Island, IL, dental sealants are one of the most cost-effective and straightforward preventive treatments we offer for children and adults who are at elevated risk for cavities in the back teeth. Our doctor and hygiene team routinely evaluate the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars at every recall appointment, and sealants are recommended when the depth of the grooves and the patient’s cavity history suggest that protective coverage would make a meaningful difference in long-term decay prevention.
For families in the Blue Island, IL community, sealants represent one of the simplest investments available in a child’s long-term oral health. The cavity-prone years between ages six and sixteen are exactly the window during which sealants deliver the greatest benefit, protecting the permanent molars that will serve your child for a lifetime during the years when decay risk is highest, and home care habits are still developing. The procedure is quick, entirely painless, and requires no anesthesia, making it an easy and stress-free addition to a routine cleaning appointment for children of any age.
Adults with deep grooves in otherwise healthy, unrestored back teeth can also benefit meaningfully from sealants, and our team evaluates adult candidacy honestly based on the actual condition and risk profile of each individual tooth rather than applying a blanket recommendation. At South Suburban Family Dental, preventive treatments are recommended when they genuinely serve the patient, and sealants are no exception. If you have questions about whether sealants are appropriate for you or your child, our friendly and reliable team is always happy to explain what we are seeing and why we are or are not recommending treatment at your next visit.