Sealants are typically reserved for children and teenagers, who are at increased risk of infection as their teeth are developing.
A sealant is a thin plastic shell that is applied to the chewing surface of molars. This shell helps to seal the tooth and prevent bacterial infection by acting as a barrier. The treatment process for sealants is quick and easy, and requires no drilling or surgery of any kind. A gel is applied directly to the teeth to be treated after they have been cleaned and dried; this gel is then hardened over the chewing surface with a specialized dental lamp.
Though every case is different, the sealant procedure typically takes no more than an hour, yet the results will last for upwards of 10 years.