Dental sealants are protective plastic coatings that fill in the grooves and pits on back teeth (molars and pre-molars) to prevent bacteria from building up and causing decay. They are quick, easy and painless to apply and can last several years with proper oral hygiene.
韓国歯科Your dentist will start by cleaning and drying the tooth to be sealed. Then an etching solution will be applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth for a few seconds before the tooth is rinsed and dried again.
Prevents Caviti韓国歯科 es
Dental sealants act as a barrier to protect the chewing surface of the tooth from bacteria that can cause tooth decay. They are most effective when applied to children’s teeth, as they are at a higher risk for cavities, but adults can also get them if their dentist recommends it. The procedure is quick, easy, and painless, and it can be done on the back teeth where pits and grooves tend to form most often.
When a tooth is sealed, the pits and grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. Regular brushing will still be necessary, but it is much easier to remove a buildup of plaque from the smooth surfaces than from the groves. Our dentists can apply a plastic-based liquid to the chewing surface of the tooth, which quickly hardens into an invisible shield that bacteria, plaque, and acid cannot penetrate.
Before applying the sealant, our dentists will clean and dry the chewing surface of the tooth. They may use an etching solution on the 韓国歯科 chewing surface to roughen it up, which will help the sealant bond better to the tooth. Afterwards, the tooth is rinsed and dried again. A dental sealant typically lasts for several years, but it will need occasional touch-ups to stay in good shape. The material is safe, but some patients are concerned about trace amounts of the BPA chemical in certain types of sealants.
Prevents Plaque Buildup
Dental sealants act as a protective shield that keeps bacteria and food particles from reaching the nooks and crannies of teeth. The chewing surfaces of molars and premolars often have deep grooves and pits that can trap plaque, making these hard-to-reach areas more susceptible to tooth decay. A sealant covers these grooves and pits, creating a smooth surface that is easier to clean, thus reducing the risk of cavities.
In addition, sealants contain fluoride to help prevent tooth decay and strengthen the enamel of teeth. They are usually placed on children’s teeth after their permanent molars have erupted to protect them from early tooth decay, but adults can also benefit from this preventive treatment.
To apply a sealant, the dentist will first clean and dry the tooth that is to be sealed. They may then use an acidic gel to slightly roughen the tooth’s surface. This helps the liquid sealant to adhere better and more quickly. The dentist will then rinse and dry the tooth again before applying the liquid sealant. Once the tooth is fully coated, a special light is used to instantly cure and harden the plastic resin.
Dental sealants can last up to ten years, although they need to be checked for wear and tear during regular dental visits. If a sealant becomes loose or damaged, the dentist can repair it with ease.
Prevents Gum Disease
Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of your back teeth from bacteria that would otherwise build up in narrow grooves and pits on the biting surface. This bacterial buildup can lead to tooth decay that can destroy the enamel and cause cavities. If left untreated, decaying teeth can deteriorate to the point that the bacterial infection can spread from the tooth into the gum tissue and root of the tooth, eventually leading to periodontal (gum) disease or even systemic health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
Tooth decay can be particularly difficult to prevent in molars and premolars because the bristles of a toothbrush cannot easily reach into the deep grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of these teeth. However, with dental sealants, brushing becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay in these areas.
To apply a dental sealant, your dentist or hygienist will first thoroughly clean each tooth and remove any food debris. The chewing surfaces are then dried. A solution that slightly roughens the tooth is then applied, sometimes called etching. This makes it easier for the sealant to bond with the tooth. Finally, the tooth is rinsed and dried again. The sealant is then painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth and allowed to harden, often with a curing light.
Dental sealants can last up to 10 years, but they will need to be periodically reapplied. To ensure that the sealant remains intact, schedule regular cleanings and checkups every six months.
Prevents Tooth Wear
Dental sealants are quick and easy to apply and can last for several years with proper care. They are most often used on permanent molars and premolars that have deep grooves or pits, but can also be applied to baby teeth to protect them until they are replaced by permanent ones.
These recessed areas can trap food, which leads to cavity-causing bacteria that feed on sugar and produce acids that wear away at the tooth surface. Sealants fill the grooves and help to prevent cavities by creating a barrier that makes it more difficult for germs to access the tooth.
To apply a sealant, the tooth is first cleaned and dried. Then, the dentist puts on a solution that will slightly roughen or “etch” the surface of the tooth to make it easier for the sealant to bond to the enamel. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off and the tooth is dried again. The sealant is then painted onto the tooth and hardened with a curing light.
While sealants can be effective for a long time, they need to be checked at regular visits to ensure that they are still intact and working correctly. It is possible for decay to get under a worn sealant, and the dentist can spot this during an examination and treat the area accordingly.