How long will sealants last?

One sealant application can last for as long as 5 to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material. • Will sealants replace fluoride? No ... fluorides, such as those used in community water, toothpaste, and mouthrinse also help to prevent decay. Fluoride works best on the smooth surfaces of teeth. The chewing surfaces on the back teeth, however, have tiny grooves where decay often begins. Sealants keep germs out of the grooves by covering them with a safe plastic coating. Sealants and fluorides work together to prevent tooth decay. [More information on flouride.] • How do sealants fit into a preventive dentistry program? Sealants should be used as part of a child's total preventive dental care. A complete preventive dental program includes use of sealants, fluoride, plaque removal, careful food choices, and regular dental care. [More information on ...  more

Sealants should last five years, but can last as long as 10 years. One study reported that seven years after application, an impressive 49 percent of treated teeth were still completely covered. Sealants are not permanent. Regular dental check-ups are necessary to keep track of the sealants' effectiveness. Who should receive sealant treatment? Children, because they have newly erupted, permanent teeth, receive the greatest benefit from sealants. The chewing surfaces of children's teeth are most susceptible to caries and the least benefited by fluoride. Surveys show that approximately two-thirds of all cavities occur in pits and fissures of children's newly erupted teeth. However, averages of only 7.6 percent of all school-aged children currently have dental sealants. Many other patients also can benefit from sealant placement, particularly patients who have newly erupted teeth with pits and fissures, those who have existing pits and fissures susceptible to decay, and those who for a ...  more

As long as five years or even longer. Regular check-ups are necessary to ensure sealants are reapplied when they appear to have worn off.

One sealant application can last for as long as 5 to 10 years. Sealants should be checked regularly, and reapplied if they are no longer in place.  more

Sealants should last about five years although some may last for up to ten years. Sealants should not be considered as permanent and regular dental checkups are necessary. Who should receive sealants? Sealants are overcoming the age barrier. Most individuals have existing pits and grooves in their teeth. Since research shows that almost everybody has a 95% chance of experiencing decay in the grooves of teeth, it goes without saying that sealants aren't just for kids anymore. Adults can benefit from sealants. Bottom-line: prevention starts with sealing at-risk teeth no matter what the age! How are sealants applied? The dentist or dental hygienist will isolate the tooth or teeth to be treated. An etching gel is applied to the tooth and rinsed after 15 seconds. The site is dried and the sealant material is applied and hardened by a special curing light. The "bite" is checked and that is all there is to it.

Yes! Throughout the United States sealants have been tested in controlled clinical studies. All studies show that sealants are: effective against tooth decay, easy to apply, inexpensive, and nontoxic. Sealants are not only approved, but are recommended by the ADA (American Dental Association).  more

A sealant can last for as long as 5 to 10 years. Sealants should be checked at your regular dental appointment and reapplied if they are no longer in place.  more