Sealants
What are Sealants?
Sealants are designed to protect your teeth and prevent instances of tooth decay. Most often, the back teeth are susceptible to decay because of the deep grooves and fissures in these areas. Sealants are completely clear, and they are brushed onto the back teeth before being cured into place. You can expect most sealants to last for anywhere from one to three years depending on the amount of wear they receive.
Why would Sealants be needed?
The main reason why you or your loved one might benefit from sealants is because you have grooves, deep pitting or fissures on the back teeth. It might be difficult for you to keep these areas clean, so utilizing sealants can help to fill in the grooves and crevices. Sealants are ideal for both pediatric as well as adult patients. We will recommend sealants according to your own dental and oral health needs.
Who is a candidate for Sealants?
There is absolutely no age limit when it comes to who would benefit from sealants. Sealants are ideal for children just as much as they are helpful for adults. If your sealants have worn away, we can easily replace them in our office. You can expect the sealants to last for anywhere from about one to three years.
What happens during the Sealant procedure?
The sealant procedure begins by cleaning and drying your back teeth. We then apply a clear liquid varnish to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. We light cure these sealants so that they harden to the teeth themselves. You can and should still brush your teeth normally to keep them healthy and strong. We can keep an eye on your new sealants at each of your bi-annual checkup appointments. This helps us to determine if and when the sealants may need to be reapplied as a way to keep your smile fully protected.
If you would like to learn more about dental sealants and how they can protect your smile, call us today so that we can further answer your questions.
