Children's Preventive Dentistry

Enamel Sealants

Proper oral care greatly reduces the risk for dental problems-but it cannot eliminate it entirely. The chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars, or back teeth, remain hot spots for bacteria to gather. Because the pits and fissures of these teeth are hard to reach by toothbrush bristles, bacteria can bunch up in these crevices and eventually cause tooth decay. Dental sealants, plastic resin materials, "seal" the pits and fissures of the back teeth. These "seals" shield these areas from bacteria and offer further protection from decay. Dental resin blocks the food and bacteria access to the tooth enamel. It creates a smooth tooth surface, making the tooth easier to clean and eliminating any tricky spots that plaque can sink into.

"Sealing" teeth is a fairly simple procedure. Your dentist requires only a few minutes per tooth. First, he or she cleans the teeth about to be sealed. Then, he or she roughens the chewing surface with an acid solution. This solution helps the sealant stick to the tooth. Next, the dentist dries the tooth. Finally, your dentist "paints" the sealant onto the tooth enamel. The sealant bonds to the tooth and hardens. Curing light is used to speed up the hardening process.

Once the sealant is in place, your dentist will ask you to bite down to ensure that the sealant is not too large and distorting your bite. If it is too large, your dentist will buff it down to a more natural size. After the dental visit, you can continue eating as you normally would, even immediately. Sealants are strong enough to withstand the pressure of chewing, and tend to last several years between applications.

Dentists recommend sealants for children and teenagers, as these are the years when preventative health care begins. Adults, too, can benefit from sealants. The need for a sealant depends on the shape of the tooth. A tooth with deep or narrow grooves will benefit from a sealant, while a tooth with shallow or rounded grooves may not need one at all. Ask your dentist if he or she thinks sealants might be a worthwhile preventative measure for you.

Estimated costs of tooth sealants range from $25 to $40 a tooth. Because sealants are a preventative measure, most dental insurance companies are willing to cover the cost, as sealants will save them decay-related costs in the long run. Note, though, that some policies impose a cutoff age of between 12 and 16 for sealants on the permanent molars and premolars.