Sealants

Hand holding a wooden toothbrush against a plain background

The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. Even regular brushing sometimes misses some of these intricate structures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.

Enter sealants, which are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep crevices on the tops of your teeth.

Sealants actually were developed about 50 years ago, but didn't become commonly used until the 1970s. Today, sealants are becoming widely popular and effective; young children are great candidates for preventative measures like sealants because in many cases, decay has not set in. Even on teeth where decay is present, sealants have been shown to fight additional damage.

Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The procedure is followed by etching the tooth with an abrasive substance, which allows the sealant to better adhere. After the sealant is applied, a warm light source is directed to the site to promote faster drying. Sealants usually need re-application every five to 10 years.

Aerial view of downtown Madison, Wisconsin skyline at sunset near Lake Monona

Part of the mercy dental group family of practices.

The mission of Mercy Dental Group is to help families experience compassionate, community-focused, and extraordinary oral healthcare. We believe in getting to know patients, learning their stories, and remembering the little things that others forget. For us, dentistry is a calling to provide affordable help and healing for the communities we have the privilege to serve.

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