Applying dental sealants is a simple, quick, and painless process. A sealant can be applied during a regular dental visit by your dentist or a hygienist. After your teeth are cleaned, and dried, an acid-based solution is applied to the chewing areas of ones teeth, which helps with bonding. Sealant is painted directly onto the tooth enamel , where it bonds directly to a tooth and then hardens. Quite often, a curing light will be used to help speed sealant hardening.

Sealants work essentially by keeping the bad stuff out. The bond they form to one's teeth provide an actual layer of protection, essentially making your teeth “sealed” from decay that could otherwise be caused by improper brushing or bacteria. They protect the unique depressions and grooves of your teeth, especially in areas where ones toothbrush bristles may not reach. While they are not fool-proof, and you can still get decay even with sealants, they dramatically reduce the potential for cavities and decay, and on average, sealants can last up to ten years. Even better, sealants are relatively inexpensive and are mostly covered by dental insurance.