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Now Accepting New Patients and Canada Dental Care Plan
(519) 894-9444
Let’s Talk

Dental Sealants in Kitchener

Dental Sealants in Kitchener

The deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth can be difficult to keep completely clean, particularly soon after permanent molars erupt.

A dental sealant is a thin protective material placed into these pits and fissures to create a smoother barrier over areas where plaque and food can otherwise accumulate.

At MI Dental in Kitchener, we consider dental sealants as part of an individual patient’s overall cavity-prevention strategy. They are particularly useful for children and adolescents with newly erupted molars that have deep grooves or other features that place them at increased risk of decay.

But we do not automatically seal every molar.

The decision depends on the tooth itself, its eruption stage, existing signs of decay, the patient’s cavity risk and whether the surface can be predictably isolated and sealed.

What Is a Dental Sealant?

A dental sealant is a flowable material placed over the pits and fissures of a tooth—most commonly the chewing surfaces of molars.

These grooves can be much narrower and deeper than they appear when looking at the tooth.

A toothbrush may clean the broader chewing surface very well while bristles are unable to reach the deepest portion of a narrow fissure.

A sealant flows into these areas and, once set, creates a protective surface that makes it more difficult for plaque and fermentable carbohydrates to remain trapped in the grooves.

The sealant does not make the entire tooth cavity-proof.

It specifically protects the pits and fissures that have been sealed.

Why Are Molars Particularly Vulnerable to Cavities?

The chewing surfaces of molars contain natural grooves that help the teeth function.

Some are relatively shallow and easy to clean.

Others are deep, narrow or irregular.

Those deeper fissures can retain plaque even in someone who brushes carefully.

Newly erupted permanent molars can be particularly important because:

Sealants address one specific anatomical risk factor. They do not replace brushing, fluoride exposure, dietary habits or regular dental care.

How Effective Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants have a strong preventive evidence base.

Current ADA/AAPD guidance recommends pit-and-fissure sealants for appropriate sound and noncavitated occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents. Evidence also supports their ability to prevent new pit-and-fissure cavities and help arrest selected early noncavitated lesions.

The CDC reports that sealants placed on back teeth can prevent about 80% of cavities during the first two years and continue to provide meaningful protection beyond that period.

Those statistics are useful, but they should not be interpreted as meaning:

“Every sealed tooth has an 80% guarantee against decay.”

Clinical effectiveness depends on appropriate case selection, complete placement, retention of the sealant and continued preventive care.

Does Every Child Need Dental Sealants?

No.

This is an important distinction.

A six-year molar erupting into the mouth does not automatically require a sealant simply because it is a molar.

We consider factors such as:

A child with very shallow, easily cleaned grooves and low cavity risk may have a different recommendation from a child with deep fissures and previous decay.

The objective is targeted prevention, not placing material on teeth simply because we can.

When Do Permanent Molars Usually Erupt?

The first permanent molars commonly begin erupting around age six, which is why they are often called “six-year molars.”

Second permanent molars commonly erupt around age twelve.

These ages are approximate. Dental development varies considerably from one child to another.

One important feature of these teeth is that they erupt behind the baby teeth rather than replacing one.

Parents can therefore sometimes mistake a newly erupted permanent molar for another baby tooth.

These early years are an important time to evaluate whether the pits and fissures would benefit from additional protection.

Can Baby Teeth Be Sealed?

Yes, in selected situations.

Primary molars also contain pits and fissures and can develop decay.

A sealant may be considered when a primary molar has susceptible anatomy and the child’s overall cavity risk makes additional protection worthwhile.

However, not every baby molar needs a sealant.

We consider factors such as how long the tooth is expected to remain in the mouth, its anatomy, the child’s previous cavity experience and ability to cooperate with placement.

The ADA/AAPD guideline includes appropriate primary as well as permanent molars in children and adolescents.

What Happens During Dental Sealant Placement?

Sealant placement is generally straightforward.

1. The Tooth Is Examined

Before sealing a tooth, we evaluate the pits and fissures for existing decay and determine whether a sealant is appropriate.

A sealant is a preventive or minimally invasive treatment—not a way to ignore a tooth that actually requires a filling.

2. The Tooth Is Cleaned

The chewing surface is cleaned so that plaque and debris do not interfere with bonding.

3. The Tooth Is Kept Dry

Moisture control is extremely important.

Saliva contamination during placement can interfere with the ability of some sealant materials to bond reliably to enamel.

The tooth is therefore isolated as appropriately as possible.

This can sometimes be more challenging when a permanent molar has only partially erupted.

4. The Enamel Is Prepared

For a resin-based sealant, the enamel surface is typically conditioned with an etching material.

This creates microscopic surface irregularities that allow the sealant to bond mechanically to the enamel.

The etching material is then removed and the tooth is dried according to the material being used.

5. The Sealant Is Applied

The liquid sealant is carefully flowed into the pits and fissures.

It is then hardened, commonly using a curing light.

6. The Sealant and Bite Are Checked

We confirm that the material has set appropriately and evaluate the patient’s bite.

If the sealant feels high when the teeth come together, it can be adjusted.

Does Getting a Dental Sealant Hurt?

For routine sealant placement on an appropriate tooth, drilling and local anesthetic are generally not required.

The procedure is performed on the outer enamel surface of the tooth.

Patients still need to keep the mouth open while the tooth is cleaned, isolated and treated, which can occasionally be the more challenging part for a younger child.

We prefer this description over promising that a procedure is “completely painless,” because every patient’s experience and tolerance are different.

Can You Put a Sealant Over an Early Cavity?

Sometimes—and this is where modern evidence is particularly interesting.

Not every early carious lesion requires drilling and placement of a filling.

When an occlusal lesion is noncavitated, meaning the enamel surface has not developed an actual cavity or structural breakdown, an appropriately placed sealant can isolate the fissure from the oral environment and help arrest or slow progression.

Current ADA/AAPD evidence-based guidance supports sealants for selected noncavitated occlusal caries lesions in children and adolescents.

That does not mean a sealant should simply be placed over every suspicious tooth.

The dentist first needs to determine whether the surface is appropriate for nonrestorative management or whether the lesion has progressed to a point where a restoration is necessary.

Dental Sealant or Filling?

These treatments have different purposes.

A Sealant

A sealant is generally used on an intact or selected noncavitated pit-and-fissure surface to prevent decay or help arrest a very early lesion.

Little or no healthy tooth structure needs to be removed.

A Filling

A dental filling is used when decay or structural damage requires restorative treatment.

If a cavity has formed and tooth structure has broken down, simply covering it with a routine preventive sealant may no longer be appropriate.

So when a parent asks:

“Why don’t we just fill the grooves before they get cavities?”

the answer is that we generally do not want to remove healthy tooth structure unnecessarily.

When prevention can accomplish the objective, prevention is preferable.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

There is no single expiration date.

A well-retained sealant can protect a tooth for years, but sealants can gradually wear or occasionally lose part of their coverage.

That is why they should be checked during routine dental examinations.

A sealant that has partially worn does not automatically mean the treatment failed.

Depending on what remains and the condition of the underlying tooth, the material may simply need to be repaired or reapplied.

The CDC notes that sealants can continue providing cavity protection for many years, although their condition needs ongoing monitoring.

Can a Tooth Get a Cavity Under a Sealant?

It is possible for decay to develop in or around a sealed tooth, particularly if:

This is why sealants should not be viewed as a permanent coating that allows the tooth to be forgotten.

At routine examinations, we assess the sealant and the tooth underneath and around it.

A well-sealed, retained pit-and-fissure surface is much less accessible to the plaque and nutrients involved in caries progression.

Are Dental Sealants Only for Children?

No, but the strongest evidence and most common use are in children and adolescents.

Adults can also have deep, cavity-prone pits and fissures that may benefit from sealing in selected circumstances.

For an adult, we consider:

Age by itself does not determine the recommendation.

At the same time, an adult tooth that has remained completely healthy for decades despite deep-looking grooves may not automatically need a sealant simply because one can technically be placed.

Again, case selection matters.

Dental Sealants and Fluoride Do Different Jobs

Sealants and fluoride are sometimes treated as competing cavity-prevention strategies.

They actually work in different ways.

Fluoride helps strengthen tooth mineral and influences the demineralization/remineralization process.

Sealants create a physical barrier over susceptible pits and fissures.

A patient can therefore benefit from both when clinically appropriate.

The ADA considers sealants part of a comprehensive caries-management approach, rather than a replacement for fluoride or other preventive measures.

What About Brushing and Flossing?

Sealants do not replace either.

A sealed molar still has:

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste remains important, and cleaning between teeth becomes increasingly relevant as adjacent permanent teeth erupt and contacts develop.

The sealant simply provides additional protection for one particularly vulnerable anatomical area.

What If the Molar Is Only Partially Erupted?

This is a common clinical situation.

A newly erupting permanent molar can remain partly covered by gum tissue, making it difficult to isolate the chewing surface from saliva.

Because moisture control affects the reliability of many resin sealants, it may sometimes be preferable to:

The best time to seal a tooth is not necessarily the first moment a small portion of enamel appears through the gum.

It is when the tooth needs protection and the procedure can be performed predictably.

Are Dental Sealants Safe?

Dental sealants have been used extensively as a preventive dental treatment.

Some patients or parents have questions about bisphenol A (BPA) because very small transient exposure can occur with certain resin-based dental materials.

The ADA states that, based on current evidence, BPA exposure from dental sealants and other dental materials is not considered a health concern.

If you have questions about a particular dental material, we are happy to discuss them before treatment.

How Do We Decide Whether to Recommend a Sealant?

At MI Dental, we do not base the recommendation solely on age.

We look at the patient and the individual tooth.

A useful way to think about it is:

What is the likelihood that this particular pit-and-fissure surface will develop decay if we leave it unsealed, and does sealing it provide a meaningful preventive advantage?

That requires clinical judgment.

A high-risk child with deep fissures and previous cavities may benefit substantially.

A low-risk teenager with shallow, easily cleaned grooves may need little intervention beyond routine preventive care.

The treatment should fit the risk—not the other way around.

Dental Sealants at MI Dental in Kitchener

Preventive dentistry is most effective when treatment is directed toward the areas where it can make a meaningful difference.

At MI Dental in Kitchener, dental sealants are one of the tools we may use to protect susceptible pits and fissures, particularly in newly erupted permanent molars.

We evaluate:

before recommending treatment.

Sealants are not a substitute for brushing, fluoride, diet or regular examinations.

And they are not something every molar automatically needs.

They are a targeted preventive treatment for a tooth that is likely to benefit from them.

You can learn more about our broader approach on our Preventive Dental Care page or contact MI Dental if you would like us to assess whether dental sealants are appropriate for you or your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are thin protective materials placed into the pits and fissures of teeth, usually molars, to create a barrier against plaque and food accumulation in cavity-prone grooves.

At what age should children get dental sealants?

There is no single age for every child. First permanent molars commonly erupt around age six and second permanent molars around age twelve, which are common times to assess the teeth for sealants. The decision depends on the individual tooth and the child’s cavity risk.

Does every six-year molar need a sealant?

No. Deep fissures, previous decay, cavity risk, eruption stage and ability to isolate the tooth all influence whether sealing is worthwhile.

Does getting a dental sealant hurt?

Routine sealant placement usually does not require drilling or local anesthetic. The tooth is cleaned, kept dry, prepared and coated with sealant material.

Can dental sealants be placed over early tooth decay?

Selected noncavitated pit-and-fissure lesions can sometimes be sealed rather than drilled. A dentist must first determine whether the lesion is appropriate for this approach or whether restorative treatment is required.

What is the difference between a sealant and a filling?

A sealant is primarily preventive and is placed over an intact or selected noncavitated fissure. A filling replaces tooth structure when decay or damage has created a defect requiring restoration.

How long do dental sealants last?

Sealants can remain protective for years, but their retention varies. They should be checked during routine examinations and repaired or replaced when necessary.

Can adults get dental sealants?

Yes, selected adults may benefit depending on tooth anatomy and cavity risk. The strongest evidence and most common indications, however, involve children and adolescents.

Do sealants replace fluoride?

No. Fluoride and sealants work differently. Fluoride supports tooth mineral, while a sealant creates a physical barrier over pits and fissures. Both can be components of an overall cavity-prevention strategy.

Can a sealed tooth still develop a cavity?

Yes. A sealant protects only the surface it covers, and its condition can change over time. The rest of the tooth remains susceptible to decay, which is why regular preventive care and examination are still necessary.