Dental Sealants protect surfaces of the teeth from decay/cavity.
Basic home care like brushing and flossing are always the best ways help prevent cavities, gum disease and maintain proper oral health. No matter how good patients may brush they are always times when you may not reach back molar teeth and get to clean every edge of it. Back molar teeth are uneven and rough and not every toothbrush bristle may get to clean it out. We all chew on those back teeth and that is where most of bacteria hides and builds up. Build up and plaque leads to cavities, gum disease and other dental issues like root canals or missing teeth that may require dental implants in the future.
Sealant have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80%. Sealants may even stop early stages of decay and small cavities from forming to large dark decays.
A sealant is plastic tough material designed to be attached or stick to tooth enamel.

These clear or tooth colored sealants are painted onto the tooth surface to seal the grooves and pits which protects against decay.

Most of the time they are applied to children’s first permanent back teeth. They can also be useful for adults in most cases. Dental insurances don’t cover sealants for adults but the do for children. Sealants are much more affordable than a formed cavity, or a cavity that has reached the nerve which leads to a root canal procedure.

If decay is too big a dental crown may be needed. Imagine what a small cavity can do?

Although sealants may prevent cavity from forming on the surfaces of the teeth, they do not prevent cavities between teeth or gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing is still required as well as dental checkups and dental cleanings every six months. Sealants last for up to five years but I some cases may wear off or chip off sooner.