What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a quick, simple, and pain-free way to protect your teeth from decay. They are thin, protective coatings applied by a dentist that bond to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They aid in preventing cavities by forming a versatile shield against bacteria and plaque.
Dental sealants are most effective on molars, where decay often begins due to their extensive grooves and fissures.
Who Can Get Dental Sealants?
Children and Teenagers. Dental sealants are an excellent way to give kids an extra layer of protection against cavities. The application is quick and painless and can help protect children’s teeth during the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.
Those With Baby Teeth. Dental sealants could benefit kids with deep grooves and depressions in their teeth, as they are more vulnerable to cavities. Dental sealants help ensure these baby teeth remain robust and hold their place until it’s time for their permanent counterparts to show up.
Adults. Adults without fillings or tooth decay can also opt to have dental sealants applied and provide their teeth with this extra protective layer. If you have particularly deep grooves or depressions that make your teeth vulnerable to cavities, dental sealants might be worth considering.
What Are the Types of Dental Sealants?
Composite Resin Dental Sealants
Made of a plastic material that we carefully mold to fit finely onto your teeth, composite resin sealants effectively safeguard your tooth surfaces. This dental sealant is trusted to form a high-strength barrier on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. This barrier combats the food particles, plaque, and harmful bacteria that tend to create decay.
Glass Ionomer Dental Sealants
The glass Ionomer dental sealants are made from a combination of glass and organic acid, allowing them to slowly release fluoride, a major preventive agent against tooth decay, over time. This sealant adheres well to the tooth structure and has a tooth-colored or transparent appearance that blends in naturally with your teeth.
How We Apply Dental Sealants
Step 1: Initial Examination
Before applying dental sealants, our dentists will check your teeth’ condition. We ensure there are no signs of decay or other dental issues that may need addressing before proceeding with the sealant procedure.
Step 2: Teeth Cleaning
Next, we’ll ensure your teeth are thoroughly clean and plaque-free. Our dentist uses modern tools and techniques for deep cleaning, setting up an ideal surface for the sealant application.
Step 3: Preparation of the Tooth Surface
Once your teeth are clean, we roughen the tooth srface with an acidic solution. It’s a painless process but vital as it enhances the sealant’s bond with your tooth.
Step 4: Application of Dental Sealants
We then apply the dental sealant on the prepped tooth surface, specifically focusing on the grooves and depressions. The material is brushed on in a liquid form and quickly sets into a plastic-like consistency.
Step 5: Hardening the Sealant
The final step is hardening the sealant properly. We use a specialized light to quickly cure and harden the sealant, ensuring it adheres firmly and provides optimal protection.