Sealants
What are Sealants?
Sealants are protective coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These clear coverings help to protect the back teeth from decay as well as deep staining. Many patients have deep grooves, pitting and fissures in their back teeth, making these areas more susceptible to decay. In order to fill these ridges, sealants can be applied easily in our office.
Why are Sealants needed?
Sealants may be needed if you have deep grooves and ridges in your back teeth. For children and adults, sealants can help when you don’t necessarily have the best eating or brushing habits. If you’re prone to decay and already have a lot of fillings, sealants can prevent the need for more future treatment. They can last for about one to three years depending on the amount of wear they receive.
What makes you a candidate for Sealants?
There is absolutely no age restriction when it comes to benefiting from sealants. They are more commonly applied to pediatric patients’ teeth, but they’re just as helpful at protecting adult teeth as well. Sealants are completely clear, so no one but our dental team will even know they’re in place. The procedure is quick and easy, and there is no anesthetic or drilling required.
What happens during the Sealant procedure?
We thoroughly clean and dry the back teeth. Liquid sealant is brushed onto the biting surfaces of the back teeth only. We then repeat the process until all back teeth are covered. The sealants are then dried and cured using a bright light that keeps them in place. You can brush and floss as usual, but they are not an excuse to forgo dental hygiene as they’re only protecting the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. We can reapply the sealants as needed as they begin to wear away and are no longer protecting the teeth where they’ve been placed.
If you think you may need or will benefit from sealants, call the office today so that we can get you in for a quick and convenient appointment.
