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Sealants

Protect Vulnerable Teeth

Even with exemplary dental habits, it can be a struggle to remove particles and plaque from all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth. Sealants can protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.

What is a sealant and who needs them?

A sealant is a thin resin coating painted on the tooth surface to fill in the narrow grooves and pits of a tooth that are difficult to clean. In some cases these uneven areas in a tooth are small enough that the bristle of a toothbrush cannot adequately reach and clean the trapped plaque.

Many adults without decay or fillings in their molars can benefit from sealants and in certain situations sealants can be useful for our younger patients as well. In some cases, dental sealants may be recommended for baby teeth, such as when a child’s baby teeth have deep grooves. Because baby teeth play such a critical role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it is important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early.

How are sealants applied?

Applying the sealant is a quick and painless process, taking only a few minutes to apply to each tooth.

1. First the teeth that are to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
2. Each tooth is then dried, and cotton or another absorbent material is put around the tooth to keep it dry.
3. An acidic gel will be applied to the chewing area of the teeth being sealed. This gel roughs up your tooth surface so a strong bond will form between the tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel will be rinsed off.
4. Finally the sealant is then painted onto the tooth, where it bonds and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

How long do sealants last?

Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for many years, but will be evaluated for chipping or wear at your SE Portland dental check-ups and be reapplied if needed.