Dental sealants in Weston, FL

What are dental sealants?

Sealants are thin plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, the premolars and molars. These teeth have deep grooves where food and bacteria get trapped, and that is where most cavities in children and teens start. Sealants cover the grooves so germs and food cannot get in.

Who should get sealants?

Permanent molars benefit most. The first molars usually come in around age 6 and the second molars around age 12. Sealants work best when applied soon after these teeth come in, before decay has a chance to start. Adults with deep grooves and no fillings on their back teeth can benefit too.

How sealants are applied

1. Cleaning

   The tooth is cleaned and dried.

2. Preparing the surface

   A special gel is placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds, then rinsed off and the tooth is dried again.

3. Sealing

   The sealant is painted into the grooves and hardened with a light in about a minute.

There is no drilling and no numbing. Your child may feel the sealant with their tongue at first, but it is very thin.

How long sealants last

Sealants can last 5 to 10 years. We check them at every regular checkup and reapply them if needed. Sealants work together with fluoride, not instead of it, so keep brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

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