Plaque often is found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, from which it is difficult to remove by brushing and flossing alone. This is tooth decay. Coating your teeth with a smooth plastic material makes it harder for plaque to stick to the tiny grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth - reducing the risk of forming cavities and tooth decay. The procedure is easy and painless, and lasts for many months. The teeth are specially cleaned and prepared, the sealant is applied and a special light hardens the sealant.
Sealants are most effective in reducing cavities in children with newly formed permanent teeth.
They are useful in cutting down formation of decay in adult teeth but since we chew harder, the sealants wear away more quickly. An application of sealants is a preventive measure to keep teeth healthy. It is an effective way to reduce the need for fillings and more expensive treatment that may be required to repair the damage from cavities, so sealants can also save you money.