What are Sealants?
A sealant is a white plastic coating that can be bonded into the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars to prevent tooth decay. Sealant acts as a barrier protecting the tooth from food, plaque and acid. However, decay can still form around a sealant or between teeth if not brushed and flossed correctly. The procedure is simple and painless. Placement is a three-step process:

1. The tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned with a blue gel etchant that we call “soap”.
2. Then a drying agent “conditioner” is applied and the tooth is air-dried by blowing "wind" onto the tooth.
3. Finally the sealant is “painted” on where it bonds to the tooth surface and is hardened by the use
   of a curing “laser” flashlight.

Occasionally a sealant will come off between check-ups. This can happen for a number
of reasons:

1. Chewing on hard or sticky candy or gum.
2. Crunching ice cubes.
3. The contamination of the tooth, with saliva, during the application of the sealant.
4. The surface of the tooth does not accept bonding due to an irregular tooth formation.

If you keep up with your regular six-month check-ups, we will reapply missing sealants at no charge to you.