Dental Sealant
A dental sealant is a cavity-prevention treatment that fills the narrow, deep grooves on a molar's chewing surface with a flowable material in advance, keeping food and bacteria out. Unlike a resin filling, which removes decay first, a sealant simply fills the grooves without drilling the tooth.
Why molar grooves?
The grooves on a chewing surface are narrower than a toothbrush bristle, so some spots simply can't be physically cleaned. A large share of cavities in children and teens starts in these grooves, so right after a permanent molar erupts is the ideal time for a sealant. National health insurance covers sealants on molars for those age 18 and under.
Q. Does a sealant mean no cavities will ever form?
A. It greatly reduces cavities on the chewing surface, but it doesn't prevent cavities between teeth. A sealant can also partially come off, so we check how well it's holding at regular check-ups and reapply it if needed.
Q. Can adults get a sealant too?
A. Yes, adults can get one for a tooth with deep grooves and no cavity yet. However, if staining or early decay is already suspected, we check with a Qray scan first and then decide whether a sealant or treatment is the better fit.
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