Dental sealants
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They are made of a clear plastic-like resin that hardens quickly and creates a barrier over the tooth.Dental sealants are most often recommended for children, but adults can benefit from sealants as well.
Dental sealants protect the teeth by acting as a barrier over the surface of the tooth. By acting as a barrier, food particles and bacteria are less likely to get trapped in the grooves of the teeth. Dental sealants are most often applied to the molars, which are the teeth in the back of the mouth. The back teeth have the largest surfaces and, therefore, are the most difficult to clean. Sealants typically last up to 10 years.
Benefits of dental sealants
Dental sealants are a simple preventive tool that is designed to “seal” the deep pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These deep grooves can easily be cleaned by brushing, but the bristles of your toothbrush can’t always reach into the small crevices. Food and germs can get stuck in the deep grooves, causing decay. By acting as a barrier, dental sealants prevent food and germs from getting stuck in between the teeth, thus preventing tooth decay.
How are sealants applied?
Dental sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the chewing surfaces to form a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.
Dental sealants are most beneficial when applied to patients in early adolescence. However, sealants can and should also be applied to older patients, especially those patients who suffer from dental disease.
Sealants are most commonly applied to the back teeth, as they are more prone to dental caries. However, sealants can also be applied to the teeth that are prone to cavities, such as the permanent molars.
How long will dental sealants last?
Dental sealants are an easy, painless, and non-invasive preventive treatment. The dental sealant material bonds to the tooth enamel so that it is not easily dislodged by food, brushing, flossing, etc. The material also prevents bacteria from forming cavities in the teeth.
Dental sealants typically last about 5 to 10 years. However, some sealants can last as long as 15 years. The length of time the sealants will last depends on the oral habits of the person and how well they are taken care of by the dentist.
To learn more about the procedures offered at Short & Vlosich Family Dental, call us at (806) 374-8011 or visit our dental office located at 3503 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX 79119.
