Sealants Specialist

What are dental sealants?

If you ever get a chance to take a close look at the biting surface of a tooth using a good light and magnification, you might be surprised at the complexity of the grooves and valleys on each tooth. All of these surface nooks and crannies give food particles and plaque a place to grab hold. 

Proper brushing will remove most food particles and plaque from your teeth, but kids aren’t always the best at maintaining a solid dental hygiene routine. They also tend to favor chewly, sticky, and sugary foods that are difficult to remove during brushing. 

Dental sealants offer the chance to “seal off” those tiny grooves and depressions on the biting surface of a child’s molars. That prevents food and plaque from accumulating and reduces your child’s risk of developing cavities. 

What is the process for getting dental sealants?

Having dental sealants placed is a simple and straightforward process. When you come in for a dental exam, your child’s dentist checks for dental decay or gum disease signs before a professional cleaning is done. 

Once your child’s teeth are fully clean, a special solution is applied to prepare the teeth for the sealant. Once the tooth is fully dried, a plastic resin is painted onto the flat chewing surface of the molars.

When the resin hardens, a seal is created that protects the teeth as a barrier. There is no need for any anesthesia when getting sealants and no recovery time.  

Do dental sealants require any special care?

You can expect to get up to 10 years of wear from dental sealants. There is no need for any type of special care. Simply have your child brush and floss normally to control plaque within their mouth. 

During your child’s routine dental exams, the sealants are checked. If the sealants have worn down quickly, they can easily be replaced. For most kids, by the time the sealants are fully worn down, a great dental hygiene routine has been embraced. 

Sealants can also be a good preventive treatment for some adults. Older adults or those with developmental or cognitive challenges often get sealants to prevent cavities from forming.

When you’re ready to learn more, call William Lessne, D.D.S. & Bilal Chaudhry D.D.S.s to set up a visit. Online booking is also an option and is a simple process that takes just moments to complete.