Sealants

Reasons for Dental Sealants:

• Children and teenagers– If your child has a mouthful of cavities, be sure to start using toothpaste with fluoride at the earliest opportunity. Children’s mouths are more susceptible to cavities during their six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) and throughout the cavity-prone years of 6-16.
• Adults– Tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves or depressions.
• Baby teeth– Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and child is cavity prone.

What Do Dental Sealants Involve?

• Sealants are easily applied by your dentist or dental hygienist and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth.
• To start a dental sealant application, the teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned. The area is then wrapped in cotton to make sure the teeth stay dry.
• A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth.
• The teeth are then rinsed and dried. Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions.
• Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.
• Proper home care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new sealants.