A sealant is a protective coating of thin plastic or other dental material that adheres to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. Their main goal is to prevent cavities from forming in the small grooves of your teeth. Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. Sealants can be placed in adults and in children.
How Do Sealants Work?
Cavity-causing bacteria produce acids that create holes in teeth after consuming leftover food particles in your mouth. The holes are cavities. A sealant will prevent those pieces of food from settling on the teeth, and therefore stops the bacteria and acid that form cavities.
Who Can Get Sealants?
Children and adults can benefit from sealants. The first molars erupt in the mouth around age 6, followed by the second molars that appear around age 12. Dr. Amin recommends placing sealants as soon as they erupt in order to prevent cavities as soon as possible. Preventing cavities can save you time and money, preserve healthy tooth structure and can reduce potential pain in the future.
How Are Sealants Applied?
The sealant application is quick, simple and painless. Dr. Sapna Amin or one of her team members will dry and clean your tooth with an Isolite device in place. She’ll then place a gel on the tooth that roughs the surface so that the sealant will form a strong bond onto the tooth. She’ll then rinse and dry the tooth. This is followed by the placement of the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Then, she uses a curing light, that glows bright blue, to harden the sealant.
Call our office at 972-539-4776 to schedule an appointment for sealants. Most major dental insurance companies cover sealants! Click here to learn about having a pain-free wisdom teeth recovery after surgery.