Dental Sealants

It is always better to prevent a problem from happening than to solve it later. Preventive dentistry focuses on maintaining healthy teeth and gums so that any dental issues can be prevented. Getting a dental sealant is one such activity. This prevents build up of plaque on vulnerable teeth surfaces, preventing tooth decay.

Dental sealant is a thin coating, made of plastic, painted on the teeth that are used for chewing in order to protect them from decay. These are usually the teeth at the back – the premolars and molars. Bonding occurs between the sealant and the grooves and depressions on the teeth surface, acting as a shield over each tooth and preventing decay. Even though the food particles and plaque are removed regularly through brushing and flossing, some areas are hard to reach and clean, allowing accumulation of plaque. Sealants cover such areas of the back teeth and keep plaque from accumulating, thereby preventing decay.

Children and teenagers are more susceptible to decay in the molars and premolars, making them good candidates for getting a sealant. Adults who have no fillings in their back teeth can also benefit from the use of sealants.

For children, as soon as the baby teeth fall out and the permanent molars and premolars come in, the teeth should be covered with a sealant. This ensures protection from cavities during the most susceptible years of six through fourteen.

If your child’s baby teeth have deep grooves and depressions, it might be a good idea to get a sealant so that the teeth are not lost too early. Baby teeth are important to set the correct spacing for permanent teeth to come in, so they need to be protected from decay.

It will only take a few minutes for your dentist or dental hygienist to apply the sealant to your teeth. The procedure for applying a sealant is simple, quick and painless as follows:

• Each tooth to be sealed is cleaned thoroughly.
• Each tooth is allowed to dry. Cotton or any other absorbing material is placed around the tooth to ensure that it remains dry.
• The chewing surface of the tooth is roughened up with the help of an acid solution. Rough surfaces result in stronger bonds with the sealant.
• The tooth is rinsed and dried.
• The sealant is applied on the enamel, where it hardens and forms a bond with the tooth. A special light that helps the sealant harden may be used.