A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) — to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.

Dr. Kromhout suggests placing sealants when a child’s six year old molar fully erupts and again when their twelve year molars appear.