What are Sealants?
Sealants are protective coatings that are applied to the back teeth. These protective coverings are helpful in preventing decay from infiltrating the teeth. The back teeth are often difficult to keep clean because of all the grooves, pitting and fissures present on the chewing surfaces. Sealants can last for up to three years depending on the amount of wear they receive.
Why might Sealants be needed?
You might be an adult who is susceptible to decay, or you have deep pitting and fissures on your back teeth that are difficult to keep clean. Likewise, you might be a parent who is looking for ways to keep their children’s teeth healthy and free of tooth decay. Sealants are beneficial in that they prevent decay from developing on the back teeth. This can prevent the need for fillings, root canals and even full extractions if the decay was able to develop.
Who is a candidate for Sealants?
There is absolutely no age limit when it comes to who would benefit from dental sealants. While sealants are more common for pediatric patients, they can and should be considered for adult patients who are vulnerable to tooth decay. Because sealants can last for up to three years, they’re a long-term solution to many of your dental problems. Keep in mind that having sealants is not an excuse to forgo regular brushing and flossing.
What happens during the Sealant procedure?
The sealant procedure typically starts by cleaning and drying the back teeth. Once the teeth are fully prepped, we brush a liquid sealant varnish over the back teeth. The sealant is applied only to the chewing surfaces, filling the grooves and fissures in these areas. We then cure and harden the sealants with a special dental light that prevents the sealant from being washed away. You should brush and floss normally regardless of whether or not the sealant is applied. We can check on the sealants at each subsequent checkup visit and reapply them as needed.
If you would like to learn more about how sealants work to protect your teeth, call us today to speak with one of our trained staff members.