Protect Your Smile from Cavities with Dental Sealants
What Are Dental Sealants?
Back teeth often have deep grooves, pits, and fissures in their chewing surfaces, which are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Bacteria, debris, and plaque can become trapped in these areas, resulting in tooth decay. Dental sealants are essentially painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth to prevent these vulnerable areas from becoming compromised.
Dental sealants are beneficial for children and adults alike.
Dental Sealants Treatment
Placing a dental sealant is a simple procedure that typically takes only a few minutes. When you have dental sealants placed at our practice, treatment involves four basic steps:
- Cleaning the Teeth: Before receiving your sealant, your tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and dried to avoid trapping debris and bacteria.
- Preparing the Teeth: A slightly acidic solution, called dental etch, will be placed on the teeth to foster bonding. The solution will roughen the texture of the enamel, giving the sealant more surface area with which to bond. Next, the teeth will be rinsed and dried.
- Placing the Sealant: Dr. Dovgan will paint the sealant onto the teeth surfaces, making sure the material reaches into every pit and fissure.
- Curing the Sealant: The sealant will be hardened, or cured, using a special light. Once complete, your new sealant will blend with your dental tissue. Your dentist will check to make certain that your bite remains comfortable following the application of the sealant.
You can resume normal activity immediately following your dental appointment. However, hard, chewy, and sticky foods should be avoided for the first couple of days.
