Sealant For Teeth
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a painless and risk-free method of protecting children’s and adults’ teeth from cavities. The sealant forms a protective shield that prevents food and bacteria from entering the small cavities of the teeth and causing cavities
What teeth should be sealed?
Sealants are only put on the back teeth, molars, and premolars, because only these teeth have pits and fissures on the biting surface. Your dentist will tell you which teeth need to be sealed after he or she looks at them and decides if the cracks are deep enough to need sealing. Some teeth develop naturally with deep grooves that require sealing, while others with shallow grooves do not.
Sealant for teeth advantages
The microscopic fissures or grooves in your back teeth are filled with sealants, which keep food and bacteria out and stop decay.
The use of sealant for teeth has several advantages. They:
- Are transparent or white
- To stop decay, fill and cover the microscopic grooves and pits in the teeth.
- Can apply in a couple of minutes
- Cause no discomfort
- Do not mandate that you undergo any drilling or injections.
- Not evaporate in saliva.
- Are secure.
Sealing is frequently performed on children whose molars have fully erupted. That’s when the new molars are most vulnerable, so it’s a good time to protect them. Because the sealants are not as strong as a filling, they can wear off over time. This is no problem; a new layer can be easily applied. Not every tooth needs to be sealed: the dentist or dental hygienist can assess this.
What does this process entail?
Usually, it is quick and simple, and take only a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is then cleaned and dried with a special solution. The liquid sealer is then applied and allowed to dry until hard.
How long do dental sealants last?
Sealant for sensitive teeth last for a long time, but your dentist will need to check them from time to time to make sure the seal is still good. They can deteriorate over time, and it may be necessary to add or replace sealant to prevent decay from forming underneath.
Dental Sealant Process
It is easy and painless to apply the sealant. At Virginia Dental Care, our dentist applies the sealant to each tooth in a matter of minutes. The following are the steps for applying:
1. Apply an acidic solution.
Before a dental sealant is put on a tooth, the dentist will clean the tooth very well. Our dentist will apply an acidic solution to your teeth after drying them. It helps the sealant coating adhere to the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
2. Rinse and Dry the Teeth
To make sure the tooth is sufficiently clean and prepared for the dental sealant to be placed, it is then completely rinsed off once more and dried. Utilizing non-invasive dental tools makes this simple and quick to complete.
3. Paint the Sealant over the Enamel
Our dentist will paint the sealant over the enamel in this step. This coating is a very thin layer that keeps the enamel safe without making the teeth look bad. There is no pain involved in this step, and it doesn't take very long to finish.
4. Using a curing lamp, harden the sealant.
The dental sealants must be cured using a curing laser in the final phase to make them firm. This makes it possible to get a strong, long-lasting hold and makes it less likely that the sealant will need to be applied again soon because of problems.
How do dental sealants work?
They form a smooth protective barrier, covering the small pits and fissures on the tooth surface. Most cavities start in these crevices
When should dental sealants be applied?
Dental sealant for sensitive teeth are often applied as soon as permanent teeth appear. Generally, between 6 and 7 years old. However, following a dentist’s recommendation, it is possible to seal the remaining teeth at a later age
Is it necessary to continue cleaning the teeth after sealing?
Yes. Good oral hygiene is still a must. To keep a smooth, sealed surface clean and healthy, brushing is a much more efficient method. Additionally, fluoride toothpaste will protect both children’s and adults’ teeth. Sealing pits and fissures decreases cavities and, consequently, the number of fillings your child may require.