Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. Pits and fissures, however, are places that are extremely difficult to clean. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. This makes them places that are especially prone to decay. In fact, most cavities form in pit and fissure areas, and permanent molars are extremely susceptible to this form of decay.
Sealants can also stop small areas of decay from becoming larger.
Reliable clinical studies have confirmed that properly placed sealants, if kept intact, will stop decay in the enamel. A Sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned.