Frequently Asked Questions & Answers About Sealants

Designed to fill in and smooth out the hard-to-clean pits and fissures of the teeth’s chewing surface, dental sealants for kids are thin, protective plastic coatings that are painted on the teeth to help seal out harmful cavity causing bacteria. Sealants are now an accepted standard of care for protecting pre-molars and permanent molars.

Sealants have been in use by dentists for more than 50 years.

Although primarily utilized for children, adults have also been known to get dental sealants for added protection against tooth decay and cavities. Sealants for adults are only used on teeth that have no fillings or cavities.

It takes only a minute to cure and harden dental sealants using a special curing light. This makes the teeth dry very fast so there’s no need to wait before eating or drinking. To avoid chipping, be careful chewing on foods that are extremely hard or sticky.

In liquid resin form, dental sealants are made from plastic monomers that are painted onto the teeth. The monomers change to hard polymers during the light curing process.

During regular dental visits your dentist will check on the condition and wear of the sealants. With proper dental care and hygiene, it is not uncommon for dental sealants to last anywhere from 3 to 10 years.

Dental sealant removal generally only occurs due to excessive wear or damage. In most cases, the sealants are simply replaced.

Dental sealants for kids are now considered an important part of preventative care and as such, some insurance providers do offer coverage.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, dental sealants are 80% effective for the first two years, 50% effective for the first four years, and can provide some level of protection for up to 10 years.

Research studies over the past few decades indicate that in general, dental sealants for kids are considered safe.

Sealants are painted on the tooth using a brush, which makes them quite easy to apply. If the sealant becomes worn or chipped over time, your dentist can easily repair the protective coating by adding more sealant as required.