While a good oral hygiene regimen is very effective at removing food from your mouth, it isn’t perfect. Our teeth contain tiny fissures and gaps that food can find their way into leading to tooth decay. Dental sealants are designed to get into these cavities and protect the teeth from this decay.
Who can benefit from dental sealants?
Most people can benefit from dental sealants, even children. While young children can be treated with dental sealants, we typically wait until their adult teeth appear. Then we apply the sealant as an extra barrier against tooth decay.
Most adults can also benefit from dental sealants at any stage of life. If you’re prone to decay and have an otherwise healthy mouth, sealants can be an extra protection for your teeth.
How are dental sealants applied?
Applying dental sealants is a simple, painless procedure that can be completed within a single appointment. First we assess your mouth to check for any dental issues. Then we thoroughly clean the teeth to remove any food particles that may be hidden in fissures and gaps.
Once fully clean, we dry the teeth completely, then prepare the surface with a kinetic powder system to provide a key for the dental sealant to adhere to. We then rinse and dry the teeth once more and paint the dental sealant onto the premolars and molars. We then use a special light to cure the sealant. That’s all there is to it.
How long do dental sealants last?
As with many dental treatments, the long-term benefits are very subjective. Much depends on your overall health, diet, lifestyle and the effectiveness of your oral health regimen. Typically, we would expect dental sealants to last a0nything up to 10 years. Usually we only need them to last until you are beyond your cavity prone years.
The sealant material is very effective at withstanding the conditions of your mouth and has been designed to cope with acids and chewing. If you smoke, drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, or are diabetic the efficacy of the dental sealant may be reduced but will still be effective while it lasts.
The ability to provide an effective barrier to tooth decay is the main reason we promote dental sealants as a treatment. Even the best oral hygiene regimen in the world cannot fully protect your teeth from decay. Dental sealants are that extra barrier that can make all the difference.
If you’re considering dental sealants or think you might benefit from the treatment, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help!
