Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are one of the great inventions in modern dentistry. They were first introduced in the late 1960’s and have had huge success in combating tooth decay in children. The sealant acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria and food from collecting in the grooves and pits of the teeth and causing a cavity. They are thin, tooth colored plastic coatings applied in the dental office onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, a prime spot for cavities. Sealants are best suited for permanent first molars which erupt around the age of 6 and second molars that erupt around the age of 12. It is important to have the sealant applied as soon as the tooth has fully erupted. They may also be recommended for the pre-molars if there are deep pits and fissures present.