Dental sealants are thin, plastic films bonded to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth–molars and premolars–and are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay (caries, cavities). Dental sealants are particularly effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and bacteria.

Dental sealants are effective because sealants act as a physical barrier to decay and bacteria, in most cases, they provide 100 percent protection.