Commonly Asked Questions About Dental Sealants

Fissure sealants, better known as, dental sealants, are a protective coating made of plastic that is applied on the teeth at the back which is at a higher risk of getting affected by decay. It’s the small grooves that need the sealing the most as compared to shallow grooves because it becomes difficult to properly clean them with your toothbrush as its bristles are large; hence cannot reach these areas.

The sealant gets into these tiny grooves and then dries up, forming a hard shield of protection over each tooth’s enamel. This protective coat prevents decay by keeping food particles out of the grooves, thus discouraging buildup of oral bacteria.

One advantage of sealants is they form a smooth surface that is easy to clean, and this will improve your oral health. A tooth suffering from dental cavity will cost you more to repair it, and this will be a more difficult task than getting sealants.

Who Needs to Get Sealants?

The best candidates for this procedure are teenagers and children the reason being that fissure decay begins in the early stages of life. If you are considering this option for your kids, you should know that a general dentist near you can get the job done.

Dentists in Huntington Beach, CA, recommend booking your child for the procedure after the permanent set of teeth come in. An adult whose teeth have not decayed yet or has not had a filling placed can still benefit from this.

The following is a list of conditions that should give a guide to who should get a sealant. It includes people with:

• A family history of teeth decay or whose teeth are showing early signs of it
• Orthodontic appliances
• Fissures or deep pits on their dental
• A deficient or thin enamel
• Poor plaque control and oral hygiene

Persons with an exceptional oral care routine or those that eat a healthy diet with teeth that have shallow pits that are easily and well cleaned as they brush, do not have to use sealants. The same case applies to people who have had their fissures and pits restored previously.

How Long Will They Last?

Everything on this planet undergoes wear and tear, and your sealants are not exceptional. However, how long they’ll last will depend on the type of material used to make them and how regularly you go to the dentist to have them checked.

If there are any signs that indicate the chipping of your sealants, your dental professional will replace or add some of it to make sure your dental are protected from dental caries. With such care, the sealants can last for up to 10 years. Impression Dental Care is a dental clinic that offers these services. Call and book your appointment.

How Are Sealants Placed?

The placement process for sealants is a painless and free procedure that takes place in a dentist’s office. The method involves no removal or drilling of any tooth structure. The first step will involve thoroughly cleaning the surface of your teeth with a rotating brush and a paste.

An acidic solution is then put on the chewing surface of your tooth with fissures for some seconds before it is rinsed off. The solution makes the surface rougher than the tooth enamel creating a way for the sealant to get attached to your tooth.

After your tooth is completely dry, it is coated with a unique type of gel and given some time to dry. What follows next is the application of a liquid sealant on your tooth and its hardening. The liquid sealant is hardened using a special light.

Once it has frozen, it turns into a hard, varnish, plastic coating. The coating can be transparent or white, and at times, it is slightly tinted so that it matches with your tooth. This feature makes it hard for one to notice when you smile, talk, or laugh.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Sealants?

Pros

• They are durable.
• Effective and efficient in tooth decay prevention.
• Its application process is painless and less time consuming, thus saving on time.

Cons

• Sealants cannot be used by everyone, especially people with sensitive teeth, or those who have fillings.