What Are Dental Sealants?
It is vital for patients to practice good oral hygiene in order to maintain their oral health. Patients must be diligent in brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits. Dental sealants are helpful in protecting the teeth from decay. It is possible for the sealants to be clear, white, or have a slight tint based on which product is used. Helpful information regarding dental sealants and common questions associated with the procedure are outlined below.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a plastic coating that is typically placed on the chewing surface of the permanent teeth located in the back of the mouth. This includes the premolars and molars. The goal of the sealant is to protect the teeth from harmful and damaging decay.
Placement
Because the chewing surfaces of the molar and premolar teeth contain deep grooves or fissures, they can be difficult to clean and susceptible to decay. As a result, plaque can quickly accumulate in the grooves of these teeth. Acid from bacteria which is in the plaque causes damage to the enamel. Over time, this can result in the development of cavities. While fluoride is beneficial in protecting the surfaces of the teeth and preventing decay, the dental sealant offers additional protection. The sealant creates a smooth surface that covers the deep fissures on these teeth.
Chewing Surfaces
Because the chewing surfaces of the back teeth normally have deep fissures, this is generally where the dental sealants are placed. The sealants can also be placed on other permanent teeth that contain these types of grooves or pits. The molars in the baby or primary teeth can also have these types of grooves and benefit from a sealant in some cases. Pediatric patients often benefit from the application of dental sealants to protect their teeth from harmful decay.
Candidates for Sealants
Dental sealants are most commonly used on young patients once their molars have erupted. It is also possible for dental sealants to be placed in adult patients who are at risk for developing dental caries due to deep grooves and fissures.
Procedure
A summary of the dental sealant procedure is outlined below:
- A dental professional will thoroughly clean the tooth’s surface
- Teeth are then rinsed and dried
- The dental professional places an acidic solution on the crevices of the tooth's chewing surface for a few seconds prior to rinsing it off. This creates a rough surface, which allows for the application of the dental sealant
- The tooth is then dried, and the liquid dental sealant is placed on the tooth. A special light hardens the dental sealant. There are also dental sealant products that can set without the use of a light
- After the dental sealant hardens, it creates a hard plastic coating on the tooth’s chewing surface, which is ready for use
Durability
Dental sealants are safe, noninvasive, and effective. They have been in use for over 50 years and effectively prevent decay on the tooth’s chewing surfaces. The sealants are incredibly durable and can last many years. New dental sealants can be placed on the teeth if needed.
Patients who are interested in having dental sealants placed on their teeth should call the office today for an appointment. Dental sealants are effective in protecting the teeth. Our team looks forward to meeting with you to determine if you are a good candidate for sealants and to answer any questions you have.