Dental sealings and sealants

Dental sealants are a dental treatment consisting of applying a plastic material to one or more teeth, for the purpose of preventing dental caries (cavities) or other forms of tooth decay.

When correctly applied, dental sealants are nearly 100% effective in preventing dental caries on treated teeth. Despite this, and the fact that dental sealants have been widely available since the early 1970s, it is estimated currently that fewer than 20% of the population have dental sealants.

Dental sealants are usually applied in a dentist's office. The dentist or assistant first cleans and dries the tooth to be treated, then paints a thin layer of liquid plastic material on the pits and fissures of the tooth. After application of the plastic liquid, blue spectrum natural light is shined on the applied material for a few seconds to cure the plastic. Alternatively, some brands of sealants cure chemically.

After curing, the plastic becomes a hard, thin layer covering the treated portions of the tooth. Despite the incredible pressures effected on teeth during chewing each day, dental sealants often remain effective for five years or longer, although sealants do wear naturally and should be checked at regular intervals. If sealants wear or become damaged, they can be repaired or replaced simply by applying new sealant material to the worn or damaged portions.

Teeth sealants for children and young people

Daily toothbrushing can help prevent tooth decay (dental caries or cavities). But that does not have much to do with the type of toothbrush. It is using fluoride toothpaste while brushing that will strengthen the teeth against tooth decay. Toothbrushing mainly removes plaque.

The molars or back teeth are most at risk of tooth decay. Bacteria can be trapped in the dents and grooves (called fissures). Dentists can apply a fissure sealant to children or young people's molars.

What happens when sealants are applied?

Getting fissure sealants applied is painless. There is no drilling in healthy teeth and it does not take long. The dentist first cleans the chewing surface of the teeth, roughens the surface up a bit with a gel and then dries the teeth. A resin (plastic) liquid is then applied to the fissures. Within minutes it dries into a clear or tooth-coloured layer. It does not contain metal.

At what age might sealants be considered?

Sealants are primarily a preventive treatment for the permanent teeth, not the milk or baby teeth. The first permanent teeth emerge between five and seven years of age. Another set comes about six years later.

Teeth sealants last longer than four years for more than half of the children and young people who have them done. During this time the risk of cavities in the sealed teeth is about halved. The resins applied as sealants these days are generally believed to be reasonably safe, although some people have had allergic reactions to them.