Sealants

Sealants at Streitz Dental

Sealants are an excellent way to protect the chewing surfaces of children’s permanent molars. Around age 6, children start to get their first permanent molars. These teeth often have deep grooves on the chewing surfaces and are more likely to collect plaque, which leads to early cavity formation. Studies show that younger children aren’t always the best at brushing their teeth and don’t always understand how to brush effectively. Covering these grooves with a type of resin called a sealant prevents plaque from accumulating, therefore protecting the permanent teeth throughout the younger, more cavity-prone years. Sealant placement usually takes less than 15 minutes and does not involve the use of needles, anesthetic, or the removal of any tooth structure, unless there is a cavity already present.