Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are made of a safe resin material and applied to the chewing surfaces of permanent back teeth, usually molars and premolars. The sealant fills in crevices and bonds to the grooves of the teeth to form a shield over the enamel, which helps protect teeth from cavities and prevent tooth decay. Dr. Lisa Rangel and Dr. Meha Sheth, along with our entire staff at Rangel Dental in Morristown, New Jersey, care about your oral health. We work together to provide a relaxing environment to receive dental sealants and our many other dental services.

The grooves or fissures in the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars make these teeth vulnerable to decay. These fissures are often deep and difficult to clean, which allows plaque to accumulate and cavities to develop. While fluoride helps protect tooth surfaces and prevent decay, dental sealants provide extra protection in grooved areas by sealing out food and plaque. Dental sealants are usually applied on children as their permanent teeth emerge and offered through our pediatric dentistry services. While it’s less common, adults may also request dental sealant to be applied to healthy teeth that don’t already have fillings.

Applying dental sealant is a simple, painless process that doesn’t require drilling or numbing. Sealant is quickly applied in a single visit with the following application steps:

• Teeth being sealed are thoroughly cleaned
• Each tooth is dried and isolated with an absorbent material
• An acid solution is applied to the chewing surface to roughen the area and help with bonding
• Solution is rinsed off and tooth dried again
• Sealant is painted directly onto chewing surface of each tooth with a brush
• Sealant hardens, sometimes with the help of a curing light
• Dentist evaluates sealant to ensure it’s bonded correctly

Dental sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but it’s important to have the sealant periodically checked for chips or wear. If the sealant becomes damaged, your dentist will replace it as necessary.

Application of dental sealant doesn’t mean you can skip routine oral health care. Brush and floss daily and schedule regular dental exams and teeth cleanings with your dentist. Our friendly, experienced staff are dedicated to helping you have the healthiest teeth possible. Contact us at 973-292-0001 to learn more about dental sealants or request an appointment online for any of your dental needs today.