What Do Dental Sealants Do?
There are a variety of restorative and preventative measures that you can undergo to your teeth. Your dentist may have mentioned, or you may have stumbled upon dental sealants. Dental sealants are a preventative treatment that are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (usually molars) which helps fend off cavity-causing bacteria by acting as a shield. When applied, sealants’ protection can last for quite a few years, with periodic replacements to ensure maximum protection. Dental sealants are especially great protection for children and teenagers, as this is when they are most successful and can be applied without complications.
How Do Sealants Work?
Sealants are plastic coatings that your dental professional will paint on the chosen back teeth. After being administered, sealants will bond to the crevices of your teeth, covering all the nooks and crannies to essentially seal them from any potentially harmful food or bacteria.
The administration of dental sealants is performed by your dentist or hygienist in a short process:
- First, you will receive a professional cleaning with focus on the teeth which will be sealed so that no nasty bacteria or food particles get stuck to your teeth.
- Second, the tooth must be dried out and removed of moisture.
- Third, your trained dental professional will apply an acidic solution to your teeth which will coarsen them to make the bonding process easier.
- Fourth, your teeth will be re-rinsed and dried again.
- Finally, they will paint on the sealant to your tooth enamel and will use a special lighting tool to help make the sealed tooth dry faster and harden correctly.
Can I Get Sealants?
The primary patient target for sealants are those patients who do not have decay or fillings in their back teeth/molars. This usually implies that the patient is younger in age, with children and teenagers being the main candidates for sealants, though adults may get them in some cases where their back teeth have minimal to no decay.
How Much Do Sealants Cost?
The cost of sealants can vary depending on the number of teeth that the sealants will be applied to. Most insurances will cover the cost of sealants for those patients who are under 18.
Contact our office if you have any questions about sealants or would like to schedule an appointment.
