Healthy teeth are a hallmark of good oral health, that eventually paves the way for your overall wellness. Preventive measures are essential for good oral health and may be beneficial in the long run, especially for young children.
The dentist in Kings Mountain, NC offers compassionate oral care through several preventive measures like dental sealants.
What are dental sealants?
Sealants are defined as thin, transparent varnish that is applied on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth, namely the premolars and the molars. The sealants are in a liquid form which when applied can effectively settle into the deep pits and grooves of the teeth, sealing them completely. This prevents plaque and bacterial adhesion by forming protective coatings that shield your teeth from harmful disease-causing bacteria.
Why are they used?
Sealants find application in dentistry to treat the following:
- Pits and fissures of deciduous teeth in children
- People with an increased risk of caries
- Pits and fissures of permanent teeth in children and adolescents
- Pits and grooves of permanent teeth in adults
- Incipient caries lesions in children, adolescents, and adults
- Teeth that are not accessible to regular brushing and flossing
Do they offer any benefits?
Dental sealants are popular since they provide the following benefits:
- They are easy to apply
- The application is less time-consuming
- The procedure does not require any tooth preparation, thus preserving the natural tooth structure
- It is an affordable material
- The sealant is easy to maintain
- A sealant significantly reduces deep grooves
- Applying a sealant is a painless procedure
- Sealants are long-lasting
What can you expect during the process of getting sealants?
You can expect the following process while applying a dental sealant:
- Tooth isolation
This involves moisture control which is a crucial aspect of sealant application. Inadequate isolation may lead to a compromise in sealant retention. Thus, dentists use a rubber dam, cotton rolls, suction, and evacuation tips for moisture control.
- Acid etching
37% orthophosphoric acid is used in the form of a gel that is applied and cured with a suitable curing light for 15 for permanent molars, and 15 to 30 seconds for primary/deciduous molars. The tooth surface is then rinsed with water and air-dried to achieve a frosty opaque appearance.
- Sealant placement and curing
Sealant is applied using a dispenser and allowed to flow into the pits and fissures, and cured accordingly using a special light.
Wrapping up
Dental sealants are an extremely simple and affordable preventive care procedure to help prevent tooth decay. While anyone can benefit from sealants, it is most beneficial to young children since they are more prone to caries.