By Dr. Kaneta Lott

There is a treatment that is guaranteed to prevent decay without drilling into the tooth. It's called dental pit and fissure sealants.

What are sealants?
Sealants are liquid plastic solutions in clear or tooth-colored shades. This liquid hardens and attaches to the tooth with a strong bond.

How do sealants work?
Back teeth naturally have grooves and pits in their chewing surfaces. Sealants are equivalent to the varnish placed on wood to keep dirt and debris from getting into the grain. The wood varnish makes the surface of the wood smooth. This is the same action provided by dental sealants for the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Which teeth should be sealed?
Simply put, any tooth that has grooves or pits may benefit from the protection of sealants. The most commonly sealed teeth are the permanent molars. These have many grooves and pits into which bacteria and debris can become packed. The next most common set of teeth for sealants is the premolars. The primary molars that have deep grooves are also candidates for sealants, as well as the rare front tooth that exhibits a groove on the tongue side.

How early can teeth be sealed?
The first permanent molars come into the mouth around age 6 and should be sealed as soon as they are fully visible in the mouth. The second permanent molars are visible during the 12th year of life. Each tooth should be sealed as soon as possible.

How are sealants done?
First, the tooth does not have to be numbed. It should be cleaned, and a tooth conditioner placed on the tooth and rinsed off. The sealant liquid is flowed into the grooves and pits. Children can continue with their regular daily schedule, and can even eat upon leaving the office.

How long do sealants last?
Sealants last throughout the cavity-prone years. This means that children should brush and floss as directed and refrain from chewing on hard objects. Also, regular visits to the dentist will help to maintain or repair the sealants as needed.

How much do sealants cost, and does the insurance company pay for them?
Most dental insurance companies cover sealants. Check with your benefits coordinator about the specific coverage. In light of the decay prevention that sealants provide, the benefits are immeasurable. Many offices will replace and repair sealants that show signs of wear at no charge to the patient.

Do sealants provide the type of guarantee for which you are looking?
Pediatric dentists have been providing this service to patients for nearly 30 years. Because pediatric dentists are committed to this preventive procedure, legislation was developed to allow dental hygienists and trained dental assistants to apply dental sealants. These additional providers help guarantee that each child that needs this vital procedure is served.

Bio
Dr. Kaneta Lott is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists. An assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia, she serves as a consultant for the Georgia Board of Dentistry. She is a member of the Georgia Dental Association, the National Dental Association, and various other professional organizations. She lectures nationally on pediatric dentistry, dental traumatology, and practice management. Dr. Lott maintains a private practice limited to pediatric dentistry in southwest Atlanta. She can be reached at (404) 349-7777, or by e-mail at Kaneta Lott.