Dental Sealants in Chicago IL: Guarding Your Smile

Dental Sealants are as simple as the name implies – a protective coating that seals the chewing (occlusal) surface of the tooth to prevent bacteria from causing decay.

Pre-molars and molar teeth, located way in the back of the mouth, naturally have many pits and fissures on their occlusal surface. Their shape and location make them hard to keep clean and cavity prone, especially during pre-adolescent and adolescent years. A sealant helps protect against decay on these teeth by literally filling in the cracks and providing a protective shield that bacteria and food can’t penetrate.

Dental Sealants are best applied shortly after these teeth come in, though if a tooth has yet to be affected by decay it can be a good preventive measure for adults as well. For kids, their first molars will erupt around 6 years old, with the second molars following behind at around age 12. Once applied, a sealant can last five to ten years with regular checks by your dentist.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

The process for applying dental sealants is straightforward. The teeth in question are thoroughly cleaned and etched to microscopically roughen the surface, making it easier for the sealant to adhere.

Each tooth is then rinsed and thoroughly dried. Composite acrylic sealant is then painted directly on to the tooth and allowed to harden with the aid of a curing light. At our practice in Chicago dental sealants are a quick, 30-minute procedure, where we typically apply them to four teeth at a time. The preventive benefits make it well worth the visit!