Dental Sealants Near You
The field of dentistry is constantly evolving. The growing number of treatment choices can sometimes be confusing. Patients are also sometimes unaware of new treatments that might benefit them. Dental sealants are a good example of this.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a dental treatment that offers additional protection to the chewing surfaces of teeth. Dentists often apply them to the molars of children as their adult teeth are erupting. But dental sealants are not just for kids. Adults can often benefit from them.
If you are a magnet for cavities, or just want to keep your back teeth free of tooth decay, dental sealants may make a good treatment choice.
The sealants themselves are a thin coat of material that sticks to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This provides something of a shield to significantly lower the odds of developing tooth decay. Since the back molars are the hardest to reach and clean, they are the teeth most commonly treated with dental sealants.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
- Fast and painless treatment
- No drilling or anesthesia required
- Prevents up to 80% of cavities, according to the American Dental Association
Dental Sealants for Children
Although there is no age restriction on sealants, they are particularly helpful for children, who tend to be less careful in cleaning their teeth. Studies have found that children who do not have dental sealants experience up to 300% more cavities than those with them.
Most kids benefit from getting dental sealants as soon as their adult teeth come in. This gives them additional protection when they are between the ages of six and 14 – the age range in which children are most susceptible to cavities.
Dental Sealants for Adults
Adults can also benefit from dental sealants to protect the more vulnerable back teeth that have deeper grooves and crevices. The process for receiving adult dental sealants is the same as it is for children.
What To Expect
To begin, your dentist will completely clean each tooth that will be treated. This helps with sealant adhesion. Once each tooth is cleaned, your dentist will dry it.
Next, your dentist will apply an acidic solution to the treated teeth to help improve the bond between the sealant and your teeth. This will not result in any discomfort or harm your dental enamel.
During the next step, your dentist will thoroughly rinse each tooth and dry it. They will then apply a liquid sealant solution over your teeth in a thin layer that will not compromise the appearance of your teeth at all.
Finally, your dentist will harden the liquid sealant using a special curing light.
The entire process should only take a few minutes to complete.
Results
Although dental sealants are effective, they are not permanent. They will gradually wear away, as you bite and chew your food over the following years. However, sealants can be expected to last anywhere from five to 10 years before another application is necessary.