Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, dental sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic “coating” is painted onto the surface of the tooth. Dental sealants effectively “seals” the deep grooves, acting as barriers and protecting enamel from plaque and acids.
What to Expect with Dental Sealants
Sealants are easily applied by Dr. Rahimi-Thornton or a Thornton Dentistry dental hygienist, and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth. The teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and then surrounded with cotton to keep the area dry. A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried.
The sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are most often recommended for children. They are frequently recommended for permanent molars as soon as they come in, usually between the ages of 6 and 12 years. We may also recommend dental sealants for adult patients whose teeth are prone to decay or have not been restored or suffered from decay in the past. We can apply dental sealants in just one short, comfortable visit to our practice.
Dental Sealants in Bryan–College Station
Sealants will often last for several years before they need to be reapplied. In some cases, they have been known to last up to 10 years if you properly care for them. Keep in mind the dental sealants only protect the surface of your teeth and not your entire tooth. Having them doesn’t mean that you can refrain from other ways to keep your teeth cavity-free. Be sure to continue to use fluoride treatments whenever possible to help strengthen your entire tooth, not just the surface. You’ll also want to continue proper at-home dental care, such as brushing your teeth and flossing regularly.
