Dental sealant is a thin-layered plastic coating, which is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth (usually the back teeth- the premolars and molars) to prevent tooth decay. This lasts for many years. The sealant gets bonded into the depressions and grooves of the teeth very quickly, forming a protective shield over the enamel. This blocks out germs and food. Once applied, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for two years and continue to protect against 50% of holes for up to 4 years. Studies say children aged 6 to 11 years without sealants have almost three times more first molar cavities than children with sealants.
The hard enamel coating which protects the teeth gets changed as it ages to become stronger. Fluoride, which we can get in toothpaste and some drinking water or treatments available at the dental office — can strengthen enamel. But, sometimes, it’s hard to get fluoride into those pits and fissures regularly. Fortunately, there is an excellent solution to this problem: dental sealants. Sealants are generally placed in liquid form on the tooth and then cured either with light activation or chemically. Before the process begins, the tooth surface is first treated with an acid etch to enhance the wetting of the tooth. This is done with the liquid sealant and to optimize the mechanical retention of the sealant. Sealants must also be of low enough viscosity to flow readily into the pits and fissures on the tooth surface and to wet the tooth adequately. According to state law and regulations, sealants can be applied by a dentist, dental hygienist, or another qualified dental professional. This procedure is usually done in dental offices or using portable dental equipment in community settings like a school. A sealed tooth is less prone to the cavity, need more expensive dental treatment later on, or, most importantly, cause your dental pain.
A cavity is mostly developed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, as these layers are not smooth, unlike other areas of your teeth. Instead, they are consist of tiny grooves referred to as “pits and fissures,” catch bacteria and food particles. And the bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach all the way to clean. This stimulates the perfect condition for tooth decay.
The Procedure Of Dental Sealant Placement
As because tooth enamel does not carry any nerves, putting a sealant is painless and does not routinely need numbing shots. At first, the tooth or teeth to be sealed are tested, and if minimal decay is found, it will be easily removed. The tooth will then be properly cleaned and dried. Then a solution that will little roughen or “etch” the surface is applied to make the sealing material fixed better. The tooth is then washed thoroughly and dried again. The sealant is then placed on the tooth in liquid form and becomes hard in about a minute with the help of a curing light.
How To Take Care of Dental Sealants?
Sealed teeth need the same conscientious dental hygiene as unsealed teeth. It would help if you continued to brush and floss his or her teeth daily and have regular dental cleanings. During this time, you will be benefited from a preventive treatment proven to reduce decay by more than 70 percent. Proper oral health habits are quickly learned — and result in lifelong better dental health. And the best time to begin is as soon as one’s first baby teeth appear. Dental sealants (also named as pit and fissure sealants, or fissure sealants) are a dental treatment aim to prevent tooth decay. Teeth do have recesses on their biting surfaces; the back teeth have fissures (grooves), and some front teeth have cingulum pits. The pits and cracks which are most prone to tooth decay, because food and bacteria usually stick in them. And they are hard-to-clean areas. Dental sealants are the materials placed in these pits and fissures to fill them in, creating a smooth surface that is easier for cleaning.
At Dr. Mohamed Ali’s office, San Francisco, he will thoroughly assess your mouth before recommending sealants for you, considering your dental issues. If required, he might suggest some alternatives which are best suited for your needs. The billing experts will inspect your insurance benefits and will offer you a complete treatment plan with all the necessary arrangements. Every major dental and medical PPO insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare. There is also an in-office Plan for Health for those who don’t have any insurance. Also, we have partnered with various financial institutions like The Lending Club, Care Credit, Healthcare Finance Solutions to make your treatment extremely affordable. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So sit, relax, and get sparkling white teeth. Call us today to schedule your consultation. You can reach us at 415.391.7751.
