If you or your child are getting dental sealants, you are taking a positive step toward protecting those hard-to-reach back teeth. Molars often have substantial pits and grooves where food particles and bacteria can get trapped, and sealants act as a barrier by sealing off these areas. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sealants can reduce the risk of decay in molars by nearly 80%.
But even patients who are aware of the benefits of sealants may be wondering what to expect from the procedure. We’ll explain what will happen during a dental appointment, and what to expect after leaving the office.
The Dental Sealant Procedure
Sealants can be placed during a routine cleaning and check-up. Once the patient is in the chair, the dentist or dental hygienist will clean the teeth to make sure there is no plaque or food debris caught in the pits and crevices. Any plaque or food in the teeth will prevent the sealants from adhering properly—or could become trapped under the sealant and cause tooth decay.
After cleaning, a special gel is applied to the teeth to make the surface more rough, which will allow the dental sealant to better adhere to the teeth. Once the gel dries, there will be an opportunity to rinse and then dry the mouth. A hygienist will use a suction or dab at the teeth for the rest of the procedure, as saliva can disrupt the sealant bonding process.
Next, the dentist will apply the sealant, which will first go on as a thick, liquid plastic. After pressing the liquid into the grooves of the teeth, he or she will use a tool with a light to harden (or cure) the sealant.
Once the sealants are hardened, the dentist will check the patient’s bite to make sure the sealants’ thickness does not interfere with the way the teeth close together. Some sealant material may be added or removed if the bite is off.
Do Dental Sealants Hurt?
The process of getting dental sealants does not require drilling or scraping, making it a painless procedure. Numbing medications are almost never needed, but some patients, especially children, have dental anxiety and struggle with relaxing in the chair. If this is the case, the dentist can offer some ways to cope such as listening to music, watching a movie, or having a light sedative such as nitrous oxide administered during the procedure.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
With proper brushing and oral care, sealants can last up to 10 years. At that point (or whenever they wear out), the dentist will recommend having them re-applied.
Will I Feel Dental Sealants on My Teeth?
If you’re wondering what to expect with dental sealants on your teeth, there’s no reason to be concerned. Sealants should not alter your daily routine, and it’s okay to eat, drink, and play as usual after you leave the dentist.
That being said, the sealants can be noticeable at first. It may feel like you are biting on something with your back teeth, and chewing food may feel a little different. But most people adjust to dental sealants quickly and don’t notice them after a few days.
How Do I Find a Dentist That Does Sealants?
Most reputable dentists are familiar with the benefits of sealants and know how to apply them. If you encounter a dentist who does not recommend dental sealants, it may be because one of your teeth already has a cavity in it, and placing a sealant over it will allow the decay to spread within the tooth. Sealants are also not usually recommended for teeth that have fillings in them because filling material alters the texture of the tooth, making it hard for sealants to bond well to its surface.
And while pediatric dentists often recommended sealants for young children, they might not suggest sealants for kids who are old enough to do a thorough job of brushing. It’s also likely that if a patient’s teeth have shallow grooves where plaque and bacteria can be easily brushed away, a dentist won’t recommend sealants.
If you are interested in learning more about dental sealants, be sure to ask your dentist. If you don’t have a dentist or you are ready to find a new one near you, use our dentist finder tool now.