Dental Sealants

Dental sealants consist of a thin plastic coating that covers the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They are used to keep food and germs from getting stuck in the fissures and deep surfaces so plaque and bacteria don't turn into decay or tooth loss. The acrylic-like sealant is easily and quickly bonded to the teeth in a painless process that takes a matter of minutes per tooth.

The Process

• In preparation for the dental sealants, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned by your dentist and then dried completely.
• The chewing surfaces are then "roughened" with an acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth.
• Next, the sealant is "painted" onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

This process has been used since the 1970's and many studies have shown that it is extremely effective in preventing decay.This preventative measure has saved countless numbers of people from dealing with decay and tooth loss and will save you money in the long run by safeguarding your teeth from harm.

Ideal Candidates

Sealants usually last several years before a reapplication is necessary, and hold up well under the normal pressure during chewing. Although adults can surely benefit from dental sealants, the likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early on in life, so children and teenagers are the ideal candidates.

Luckily for those who are self-conscience about their smiles, dental sealants are practically unnoticeable unless someone gets really close. The sealants can be clear, white, or slightly tinted depending on which type works best for the particular candidate. Just like with anything new, dental sealants may take a little time to get used to. However, people tend to forget about them after a few days since they are so thin and made to fit perfectly in the pits and grooves of the teeth.