After the tooth is prepared, the sealant is painted onto the tooth. It flows into the pits and grooves and hardens in about 60 seconds. After sealing, bacteria cannot reach the pits and grooves, and cause decay. Applying sealants requires no drilling or removal of the tooth surface. Yes, sealants can be seen upon close examination of the back teeth.
Sealants can be clear, white or slightly tinted.
Remember, sealants are used only on the back teeth and cannot be seen when a child talks or smiles. Parents can check children's teeth periodically to see if the sealants are still in place. Sealants will not result in any change in bite because they are very thin and only fill the pits and grooves. At first, the tooth may feel bulkier, but a few days of normal chewing will wear the sealant into place. Yes, thousands of children across the Unites States and in other countries have had their teeth sealed in controlled clinical studies.