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Dental illustration of pit and fissure sealant application on molars to prevent tooth decay.

What Are Sealants?

Dental sealants are a protective clear plastic layer brushed onto the chewing surfaces of teeth to “seal them off” from plaque and bacteria that would cause cavities to form. Dentists started using sealants in the 1960s, and they’ve been popular ever since. The best time to bring your child in for dental sealants is around when their adult molars erupt, which is usually at age six.

How Sealants Work

Typically, sealants are applied to the molars because these teeth are the ones that do the most chewing and have those deep crevices where bacteria can hide. The sealant will fill in and cover any crevices on the tooth to act as a shield from the bacteria. What makes them even better is that the sealant application process is quick and painless!

How Long Do Pit and Fissure Sealants Last?

The sooner they sealants are in place, the less opportunity the oral bacteria will have to build up in the crevices of the molars. Sealants can last up to ten years, and Dr. Brittain will check on them during regular cleaning appointments to make sure there aren’t any chips or cracks. If you’d like to learn more about sealants, give us a call at 480-719-6994 or send us a email.

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