A thin protective layer for cavity-prone chewing surfaces.

Back teeth can have grooves that are difficult to clean completely.

Molars and premolars often have pits and fissures where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. A dental sealant is a thin coating placed over those chewing surfaces to help prevent decay or keep very early noncavitated decay from progressing.

Children commonly receive sealants when permanent molars erupt, but age alone does not determine whether they are appropriate. Teens and adults may also benefit when a tooth has deep grooves and no condition that requires a different restoration.

How sealants are placed

The tooth is cleaned and kept dry. A conditioning material prepares the enamel, and the sealant is painted into the grooves. Depending on the material, a curing light may be used to harden it. The bite is then checked and adjusted if necessary.

Placement is generally quick and does not require numbing when no other treatment is being performed on the tooth.

Keeping the protection working

• Continue brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between teeth every day using the method recommended for you.
• Attend dental visits so worn, chipped, or missing sealant material can be identified.
• Remember that sealants protect selected grooves—not every tooth surface.