Sealants

Our goal is for our patients to require as the least amount of dental treatment possible. Children who enter adulthood with the fewest restored teeth will enjoy the lowest risk of future problems.

Sealants can dramatically reduce the number of cavities a child might develop over the course of their childhood. On the chewing surface of molars, deep grooves run into the center of the teeth. Under a microscope, these crevices might look like a deep canyon. In fact, most of them are narrower than a single toothbrush bristle but wide enough for bacteria to hide. It's easy to see how cavities can form in such a perfect hideout.

If the grooves in permanent molars are sealed at a young age, the risk of decay occurring on the chewing surfaces decreases dramatically. Fortunately, our doctors can do this procedure quickly and without any discomfort or anesthetic. The sealant material creates a smooth surface, filling in the grooves, making the biting surface easier for little hands to keep clean. A resin material is flowed over the grooves and sealed quickly with a blue activating light. Within a few minutes, your child’s teeth are protected against cavities.

Sealants only last a few years and may need to be repaired or replaced periodically. But research confirms a 90% reduction in tooth decay along the chewing surface in sealed molars. This cost-effective, simple step may help your child enter adulthood with fewer fillings and less risk of significant dentistry in the future.

At Foothill Smiles in Foothill Ranch, CA, we take a conservative approach to pediatric dentistry. Sealants are just one tool we use as a preventive measure against pediatric tooth decay. Ask us how we can help keep your little one's smile healthy and bright!