Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is an acrylic-like material that helps shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of back teeth. We base our diagnosis and recommendation for dental sealants on the patient's susceptibility to tooth decay and how the teeth were shaped when they originally formed below the gum. Though there is no specific age at which sealants are indicated, often we will recommend that the best time to apply them is when the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear. Though sealants are most often applied to children's teeth, many adults are now seeking the preventative benefits of sealants as well.
Sealant material forms a protective barrier by bonding to tooth surfaces and covering natural depressions and grooves (called pits and fissures) in the teeth, where more than 75 percent of dental decay begins. In this painless procedure, a solution is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth to condition the enamel and help it bond more effectively to the sealant material. The tooth is thoroughly washed and dried. Then the sealant material is applied and allowed to harden, sometimes using ultraviolet light. The procedure takes only a few minutes.
Depending on your chewing pattern, sealants can last many years. Even though sealant material is durable, we make sure the sealant material is intact at your dental appointments. Occasionally we might need to replace or add a new layer of sealant material to keep the protective barrier strong and effective. Once your teeth have been sealed, chewing on ice cubes, hard candy or very sticky foods should be avaoided as much as possible.
Combined with proper home care and regular dental visits, sealants are extremely effective in preventing tooth decay.
- Brush and floss regularly.
- Follow a balanced diet.
- Visit us at least twice a year for routine cleanings and checkups.
