Dental Sealants

Dental sealants at Avero Dental help children and others at high risk of cavities protect their teeth.

Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities

Dental sealants can help prevent cavities among those at the highest risk. They are invisible and don’t affect taste or teeth function. Dental sealants are placed on back molars, where most chewing and food contact occur. Molars have deep grooves and pits that can trap food, making cavities possible. The sealant acts as a barrier, preventing bacteria from settling in these areas.

What Exactly Is a Dental Sealant?

Dental sealants are plastic barrier coatings. They are super thin and don’t come off, so they don’t interfere with chews. They eventually wear down in about five years. You don’t have to get it replaced when it wears down, but dental sealant offers additional protection for those at high risk of cavities.

High Cavity Risk Patients

Dental sealants can be used on children and adults, but the primary group that gets them are children as their first molars erupt. Children aren’t always aware of maintaining good oral hygiene habits, tend to eat sugary foods, and both of those put them at a higher risk for cavities. Adults who have prior cavity issues or who have deep groves on their back teeth are also at a higher risk. Your dentist can assess your risk and advise on whether dental sealants can help protect your teeth.

Applying Dental Sealants

Many dental professionals, from dentists to hygienists, can apply dental sealants, depending on local laws. It is an easy, stress-free procedure. Applying a dental sealant is not painful and is not invasive.
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Your hygienist or dentist cleans the teeth.

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An absorbent material is placed to keep teeth dry.

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A mild solution is applied to the teeth to lighten and roughen them so the sealant sticks.

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The teeth are rinsed and dried.

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A bonding agent is placed on the teeth.

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The dental sealant is painted on with a brush or sponge.

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You sit under a curing light until the dental sealant hardens.

Do Dental Sealants Work?

Initial studies, including one from a Cochrane Review in 2018, indicate that dental sealants reduced cavities when compared to patients who didn’t use sealants. However, no long-term, in-depth studies have been conducted to prove that dental sealants are always effective conclusively. At Avero Dental, we believe dental sealants are another way to reduce the risk of cavities for those with additional risk factors.
Family protected from cavities by dental sealants

FAQs

What are dental sealants?
A thin protective coating painted into the grooves of back teeth, where toothbrush bristles struggle to reach and decay most often starts.
Are sealants only for children?
They are most common for children and teens as molars come in, but adults without decay or fillings in those teeth can benefit too.
How long do sealants last?
Several years. We check them at each visit and reapply if one has worn or chipped.
Does applying a sealant hurt?
No. The tooth is cleaned and dried, the sealant is painted on, and no freezing or drilling is involved.

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