Dr. Joseph B. Brogdon, DDS
Chattanooga, TN

Sealants and Prevention

Good oral hygiene is essential to decay prevention. Good oral hygiene means, in large part, not letting foodstuffs remain in the mouth for long. This goal can be accomplished by appropriate food selection and through Brushing and Flossing. Unfortunately, there are often deep pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of certain teeth which cannot be effectively reached during either brushing or flossing. For these areas it makes sense to prevent food material from getting into these crevices. The dental materials used to make this possible are called, appropriately enough, sealants.

How Do Sealants Work?

A sealant is a thin covering over those tiny imperfections in teeth which trap food and plaque. Sealants can be clear or appropriately tinted to assist identification after being applied to the pits and grooves. They are usually applied to the back teeth which are most decay prone.

Isn't Fluoride Adequate Protection?

Fluoride is effective in preventing decay on the smooth surfaces of the teeth. It is far less effective, however in the tiny areas to which sealants would be applied. Sealants are recommended for all children with deep grooves in back teeth. They are particularly appropriate for first permanent (6 year) molars since these teeth are notorious for deep pit and groove development and erupt during more cavity prone ages.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants are normally effective for several years. They cannot be properly examined with just the naked eye. Your dentist will monitor the state of the sealants over the years and let you know if and when they should be redone. Longevity of sealants greatly depends upon eating habits. Chewing ice, hard popcorn kernels and "sticky" candies often results in less retention time of sealants.

What is the Process?

Sealants can be very effective in preventing more costly dental procedures in the future.