A thin protective coating on the chewing surfaces of back teeth keeps food and bacteria out of the deep grooves where cavities often start.
Dental Sealants
The back teeth have natural pits and grooves that are hard to clean, even with careful brushing. Sealants fill those grooves with a smooth, tooth-colored coating so plaque has nowhere to hide.
Sealants are most common for kids and teens as their permanent molars come in, but adults with deep grooves and no decay can benefit too.
What to expect
We clean and dry the tooth surface.
A gentle solution helps the sealant bond to the enamel.
We paint the sealant into the grooves of the tooth.
A curing light hardens it in seconds.
Questions
Often when the first permanent molars come in, around age 6, and again when the second molars arrive, around age 12.
Sealants can last several years. We check them at each visit and can touch them up if needed.
No — sealants are preventive. Any decay is treated first.
Related care
Family Dentistry
A thorough, gentle cleaning removes the plaque and tartar brushing can’t reach —
Learn more →Family Dentistry
When a cavity forms, a filling removes the decay and restores the tooth’s shape and strength —
Learn more →Family Dentistry
A guard made from impressions of your teeth fits better, stays in place and lets you breathe and talk more easily than a store-bought version.
Learn more →Dental Sealants
Request an appointment or give us a call — we’ll find a time that works for you.