Sealants are a great way to protect against tooth decay and cavities on your back teeth (molars). These are the teeth that are most vulnerable to cavities and decay because they have deep grooves that are the most difficult to reach and clean. Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early.
To place a sealant, an adhesive is first applied to the biting surface of a molar tooth. The sealant is then painted over the adhesive layer. A sealant is hardened with an ultraviolet curing light for 20 seconds. The hardened sealant creates a barrier between your tooth and any plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Sealants last for about 10 years and can be reapplied if necessary. If you have any questions about sealants, please contact us at (979) 543-2737 .