What are Dental Sealants - All You Need to Know About Dental Sealants

All You Need to Know About Dental Sealants Your adult teeth will last a lifetime if you take good oral care and have regular dental visits. To protect your smile and keep your teeth healthy, you might need to have dental treatment. When tooth decay is likely to occur in childhood, dental sealants can be used as a preventive treatment.

What are dental sealants?

A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that is applied to your chewing surfaces, primarily the back molars or premolars. Clear or white dental sealants are invisible on your teeth while eating or talking. Dental sealants protect the enamel from acid and harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay. A dental sealant is basically a protective shell that protects the enamel around the tooth.

Why are sealants applied to molars and premolars?

Because molars, and premolars, are deep within the mouth, it can be difficult to clean them. For children, it can be difficult to reach the back teeth using a toothbrush or floss. The teeth are also very tightly packed. This makes it difficult for toothbrush bristles and floss to reach these areas. Acid and bacteria attacks are common targets for molars as well as premolars. Dental sealants are applied to molars, premolars, and molars to stop bacteria from growing and eventually eating the enamel.

Who can benefit from a dental sealant?

For anyone with premolars or permanent molars, sealants are the best choice. The deep grooves and depressions in the back teeth can lead to decay. Sealants are recommended for children and teens, but sealants could also be beneficial for adults who have not had any dental problems.

Your family dentist may recommend sealants to prevent your child from developing deep grooves or depressions in their teeth. Sealants should be applied to children as soon as they have their permanent molars and premolars, usually around six or seven years old. Sometimes, sealants may be required for younger children in rare cases.

How are sealants applied?

Many people are unsure if applying dental sealants can be painful. It is usually painless and very simple. The entire process takes only a few minutes. The dentist will begin by cleaning the surface of your teeth with a rotating brush and fluoride. This is to remove all debris between the teeth.

Next, rinse the teeth with clean water to remove any fallen debris. The dentist will then dry the teeth and apply an acidic solution to the tooth's surface. The solution is applied to the chewing surface and creates a bonding surface for dental sealant.

The sealant is applied in liquid form once the tooth has dried completely. Once it solidifies, it is left to dry. Sometimes, dentists may use special lights to speed up the hardening process. After

hardening, the sealant forms an independent plastic coating. It is strong and thin. You can then continue to chew the tooth as normal.

What is the life expectancy of sealants?

Dental sealants have been successfully used since the 1970s. They have improved over time thanks to modern technology and research. Your dental sealant should last for at least ten years, with maximum effectiveness. You will need to keep your regular dental appointments so that your dentist can inspect for chipping and wear. Even after you have dental sealants, you should still brush your teeth and floss as usual. Consult with your dentist to see if you or your child require dental sealants.

At Associated Dentists in Madison and Verona, we work together to provide unrivaled customer service and state of the art dental care in a welcoming and supportive environment. We offer general dentistry, emergency dental care, and cosmetic dentistry to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Keeping your teeth healthy is essential and our staff works hard to make going to the dentist a great experience for you.