Caring Dentistry Makes For A Happier Smile
	Procedures - Sealants Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your children's teeth from dental decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves of the teeth and causing decay. Which teeth should be sealed? Sealants are usually applied to the back teeth - the molars and premolars - as these are the teeth that have the pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. Your dentist will advise you which teeth should be sealed after they have been examined. Some teeth naturally form with deep grooves, which will need to be sealed, others with shallow ones, which will not need sealing. What is involved? The process is usually quick and straightforward, taking only a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, prepared with a special solution, and dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and allowed to set hard by shining an activating light onto it. Will my child feel it? The procedure is totally pain free, and the teeth do not feel any different afterwards. How long do they last? Sealants last for many years, but your dentist will want to check them regularly to make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes it is necessary to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath them. When should this be done? Sealants are often applied as soon as the permanent teeth start to come through. This is usually between 6 and 7 years of age. The rest are usually sealed as soon as they appear which can be any time between 11 and 21 years of age. How much does it cost? At less than one-fourth the cost of a single small filling, sealants are an excellent value in preventative care.