What are Sealants?
Sealants are clear protective coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. They are designed to protect the teeth from developing decay, or cavities. Sealants are completely clear, so they blend in well with the rest of your smile. Most sealants can last anywhere from one to three years depending on how much wear they receive.
Why would Sealants be needed?
You or your child might benefit from sealants if you’re more susceptible and prone to tooth decay. If you already have quite a few fillings in your mouth, it might be a good idea to protect the remaining teeth from needing treatment. Likewise, sealants might be recommended to you if you have fissures, deep grooves and pitting on the back teeth. These areas are often difficult to keep clean, so the sealants help to fill in the fissures.
Who is a candidate for Sealants?
There is absolutely no age limit when it comes to who would benefit from sealants. In fact, more adults are beginning to realize how beneficial sealants can be for their oral health. We can perform an examination to determine if you would benefit from sealants and the best way to go about placing them. If you’ve had sealants in the past that have worn away, we can easily replace them in our office.
How are Sealants placed?
We start by cleaning and drying the back teeth. We then carefully brush on a liquid varnish just to the chewing surfaces. These liquids sealants are cured with a special dental light. Sealants dry on clear, so no one but the dental team will even know they’re in place. Depending on the amount of wear they receive, they can last for anywhere from one to three years before naturally wearing away. If we feel you still need sealants, we’ll recommend reapplying them once they’re no longer visible over your teeth.
If you’d like to learn more about sealants, call us today so that one of our staff members can answer any of your questions regarding the procedure.