WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS?

The chewing surface of our posterior teeth is marked with grooves and fissures that are traps for microscopic food particles and decay-causing bacteria. Dental sealants are a hard protective plastic coating that works to protect those surfaces from developing cavities.

Why do you need dental sealants?

Those grooves in our molars and premolars can be difficult for children and some adult patients to clean thoroughly. they can easily trap food and bacteria and if they are not cleaned well on a regular basis, they can turn into a virtual breeding ground for plaque and decay-causing bacteria. Sometimes, medical issues, medications, and genetics can make certain patients more high-risk to decay. Dental sealants can help keep hard-to-reach teeth healthy.

Your dentist may suggest that you incorporate fluoride oral care products into your home care routine to further prevent decay in back teeth. Dental sealants only cover the chewing surface but fluoride reaches all surfaces. sealants do not give you license to neglect your oral hygiene but are simply an addition in the prevention of decay.

When should you have dental sealants placed?

Pediatric patients should have dental sealants placed on their adult molars and premolars as soon as they erupt through the gum tissue. For adult patients, sealants can be placed anytime. Sometimes, patients can be considered high risk for decay and can greatly benefit from the added protection of dental sealants. If your sealants wear away, your dentist can replace them as needed.

How are sealants applied? How long do they last?

The process for applying dental sealants is the same for both adult and pediatric patients. Sealants are usually applied after a routine dental cleaning. Your dentist will dry the teeth being treated and will apply an etching solution to create a surface on the enamel of the tooth so that the sealant is able to adhere properly. The tooth is dried again and LIquid sealant solution is brushed on. The sealant being applied in liquid form allows it to get down into all of the grooves of the tooth surface. your dentist will then use an ultraviolet light to cure the liquid sealant, allowing it to harden into the desired hard, protective coating.

The application of dental sealants is painless and does not require any numbing. They can last up to 10 years with good home care and regular checkups from your dentist. They can be replaced as needed.

Having dental sealants placed on hard to reach posterior teeth is a great additional step in the prevention of tooth decay. Your dentist will make sure that the sealants are in good condition at each routine cleaning.

More about Dental Sealants : Dental Sealants for Adults