Dental sealants are made of a thin coating of composite resin, and are applied to the first and second permanent molars to prevent cavities. These molars are at an increased risk of cavities and decay because they are used for chewing and their grooved surface can trap food particles. By applying dental sealants, you apply an additional barrier against bacteria and prevent it from penetrating the tooth. Contact us at Glen Valley Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Williams or Dr. Wenzel.
local anesthesia is not needed during this procedure because it is painless.
At your consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and determine if dental sealants are right for you. They are typically recommended once the first molars come in at 6 years old and when the second molars come in at 12 years old. However, some baby teeth (molars) with significant pits and grooves may also have dental sealants applied to prevent cavities.
We will first thoroughly clean your teeth and dry them. An absorbent material will surround the affected teeth to keep them dry.
An acidic gel will be applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth receiving the sealants. This process roughens the surface of the tooth to enable better bonding between the sealant and the tooth.
The acid solution is quickly washed off of the teeth after a few seconds and the teeth are dried.
A special dental tool is used to paint the sealant onto the grooves of the tooth. The sealant is cured with a UV light to harden it.
children without dental sealants are three times as likely to get cavities than children of the same age who receive dental sealants.
It is important to have dental sealants applied to your child’s teeth as soon as their permanent molars come in. This is because dental sealants offer additional protection against cavities and tooth decay and provide a smoother surface, making it easier to thoroughly clean their molars.
Sealants are very effective at preventing cavities. They offer 80% protection against cavities for the first 2 years after application and 50% protection for up to 4 years. This makes children who receive dental sealants significantly less likely to receive cavities than those who don’t. Dental sealants will allow your child to worry less about cavities and spend more time focusing on school, family, and friends.
Dental sealants last for a variable amount of time depending on their application, your habits, and oral hygiene. As a general estimate, they last for 2-7 years but have the potential to last for even longer. There are many documented cases of dental sealants remaining intact for 10 years.
Because dental sealants can become damaged, chipped, or fall off, it’s important to be careful with what you chew, to practice good oral hygiene, and regularly attend dental visits. If your sealants become damaged over time, Dr. Williams can reapply them.
It is not a requirement that you avoid eating spicy food after receiving dental sealants. Rather, it's most important that you avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods like chewing ice, caramel, hard candies, or popcorn.
However, keep in mind that spicy food can aggravate sensitive teeth, cause discoloration, aggravate acid reflux, and usually contains high amounts of sugar. Some of these things are harmful to tooth health so it’s best to enjoy spicy food in moderation for long-term oral health.
dental sealants can save you a lot of money in dental costs by reducing the risk of decay and the need for complex and expensive treatments.