DENTAL SEALANTS
​WHY DO PATIENTS NEED
DENTAL SEALANTS?
​
Dental sealants help protect patients' teeth and prevent cavities to form.
Dental sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which are filled with tiny grooves referred as "pits and fissures". These grooves trap bacteria and food particles that may lead to cavities if aren't taken care of carefully.
​
Dental sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, which can save patients from developing a toothache or save patients from having to spend money on more expensive dental treatment, such as fillings or crowns, in the future.
HOW SEALANTS ARE PLACED?
​
-
The dentist will examine the tooth to be sealed.
-
The tooth will be cleaned and dried.
-
Etching solution will be applied to slightly roughen the surface to make the sealing adhere better.
-
The tooth is then rinsed and dried again.
-
The sealant is then painted on the tooth in liquid form.
-
The sealant will harden in about a minute , sometimes with the help of a curing light.
-
The procedure is painless !!!
TAKING CARE OF SEALANTS?
​
-
​Patients should take care of sealed teeth the same way they would with unsealed teeth by brushing and flossing daily.
-
Patients should also visit us every 6 months for a routine checkup so that our dentist can check for wear and tear on the sealants.
​
ARE DENTAL SEALANTS SAFE?​
-
There are no known side effects with the use of dental sealants, except for probable allergy issues, which are very low and not harmful.
​
HOW LONG DO SEALANTS LAST?​
-
Dental sealants often last for approximately 10 years.
-
Dental sealants can be re-applied when they have worn down. The best way to monitor the wear and tear of dental sealants is through the routine checkup exam.
​
