By coating the pits and grooves of the teeth with a plastic sealing material tooth decay can be prevented on these areas of the teeth by sealing out food, plaque and bacteria.  

Toothbrush bristles are too large to reach into very small depressions and grooves to remove food and plaque, and the saliva that helps clean other tooth areas of food particles cannot "wash out" pits and fissures.  

Most cavities form in pit and fissure areas, and permanent molars are very susceptible to this form of decay. Sealants can also stop very small areas of decay from becoming larger, if those areas can be kept sealed. Sealants hold up well under the force of chewing, and can last several years before a reapplication is needed.  

The application of sealants is a simple procedure, taking only a few minutes for each tooth. The teeth to be sealed are cleaned and the surfaces to be sealed are conditioned. The sealant material is placed in the pits and fissures, where it bonds to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.  

Prevention is better and less expensive than treatment for dental decay. Because properly applied and maintained sealants are very effective in preventing pit and fissure decay, sealants are a very cost-effective measure, saving dollars and putting power behind your prevention program.