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Procedures

Sealants

Procedure overview

Learn about the dental procedure, when it is generally prescribed, and other information which can increase your knowledge of the topic.

Alternate terms: Dental sealants; Tooth sealants.

Sealants are resin coatings resembling white nail polish that are applied to deep, inaccessible pits and fissures in teeth so food can't get lodged in them as easily.

If the pits or fissures in the teeth cannot be completely cleaned with a toothbrush, intervention is suggested. Sealants are one method of treating deep pits and fissures (see "Treatment options").

A dental sealant is resin placed in pits and fissures of molar teeth to prevent cavities

Figure 1: A correctly applied sealant 10 years after placement. Note that the sealant (the white areas) is barely visible in the tooth.