What Are Dental Sealants? What Are They Made Of, and How Do They Work?

March 20, 2025

Proper oral hygiene is essential,l and the application of dental sealants is an important step in preventing the occurrence of cavities. What are dental sealants? Fetch the information in this guide that includes their ingredients, their use, and the benefits they bring. Whether you are considering a sealant for you or your child, knowing its function will help you to be confident in your decision.

What Are Dental Sealants?

What is the use of dental sealants? Those are very thin and very safe coatings of hard material that are placed on the chewing surfaces of the back molar and premolar teeth. They play mainly the role of blocking bacteria, and they act as a shield from food particles, plaque deposition, and cavities in teeth. These kinds of sealants help kids, teenagers, and even grown-ups who are more prone to dental problems because of cavities.

Sealants are like a protective coat on the teeth, which is vital in the prevention of the decay of teeth. The success rate of using the microwave is around 80% as compared to sealing. As macerations are not only deep but also have sharp edges and shoulders, they tend to entrap food and bacteria easily. The sealing gives the teeth one more layer of barricade so that teeth stay healthy for a longer period.

What Are Dental Sealants Made Of?

If you're curious about what dental sealants are made of? The answer is naturally found in the materials that they are made of. Most dental sealants are made from:

  • Resin-Based Sealants: They are commonly employed sealants made of plastic materials that bond to the surface of the tooth. They are long-lasting and efficient in the prevention of decay.

  • Glass Ionomer Sealants: IContainsfluoride in these sealants, which has a further ability to strengthen teeth and protect them more from cavities.

Sealants of both categories are safe, non-toxic, and widely used in dental clinics not only in Hickory but also in other places. They are made to last for many years, but regular dental examinations keep them in good condition.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Getting the sunblock in Hickory or another spot prevents the sun from any damage and takes only a few minutes, which any qualified dermatologist can do. See what follows this sentence:

  1. Cleaning the Tooth: The tooth placed with dental floss is first cleaned in full by the dentist to remove any plaque or debris.

  2. Preparing the Surface: To roughen the surface, a special gel is applied, which makes it possible for the sealant to stick better.

  3. Applying the Sealant: The liquid sealant is painstakingly coated around the grooves of the tooth and made hard with the help of a curing light.

  4. Final Check: After hardening, the dentist checks if the sealant has been set properly and will give the maximum protection required.

The entire procedure takes only a few minutes per tooth, with no need for drilling or anesthesia. Hence, it is an ideal preventive regime.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

There are a lot of reasons why most individuals in Hickory go for dental sealants as the best remedy for their dental problems:

  • Cavity Prevention: Sealants are the best option to reduce the risk of cavities, especially in children and teenagers.

  • Long-Lasting Protection: With the proper care, sealants can last up to 10 years.

  • Quick and Painless Application: The process is non-invasive and does not require any drilling or discomfort.

  • Cost-Effective: Dental sealants in Hickory are a preventive measure that is less expensive than treating tooth decay later.

  • Safe for All Ages: Though mainly applied to children, adults can also take the same benefits if they have deep grooves in their molars.

When Should You Get Dental Sealants?

Sealants are recommended by most dentists for children as soon as their permanent molars emerg,e which is usually between ages 6 and 12. Nevertheless, sealants can also be advantageous to teenagers and adults who are inclined to cavities. If you’re looking for a dental office in Hickory to get sealants, contact a dentist in Hickory to see if they are the right choice for you.

Conclusion

So when you have learned about dental sealants, what dental sealants are made of, and how they work, then you can choose if this is the right prevention for you or your family. Dental sealants let you save your teeth from getting caries, which means spending less on dental treatment and getting better oral health over the years. To find out about your options, set a meeting with a local dentist's office in Hickory to discuss and protect your smile from dental problems!