Prevention is better than cure! As the saying goes, taking necessary steps well in advance in high-risk individuals can delay the onset of oral diseases like decay or halt the disease progression. With the evolution of modern dentistry, there are several preventive measures like dental sealants that help avoid occurrence, recurrence, or disease progression.
Compassionate and extensive preventive treatments provided by the children’s dentist Thornton make use of dental sealants to keep oral problems at bay.
Dental sealants explained
Dental sealants are thin, affordable protective coatings painted on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of your teeth. These materials consist of an adhesive agent that bonds with the tooth enamel filling the deep pits and fissures that commonly trap food particles. As a result, excess bacterial and plaque adherence can be significantly avoided. Therefore, a sealant prevents cavities even before they start!
Dental sealants are made up of resin material (plant-based or synthetic), and glass ionomers (glass powder mixed with water-soluble acid).
Purpose of dental sealants
Dental sealants are a common preventive measure employed for children and adults across the globe. They form a uniform coating to seal the deep grooves and make brushing easy.
Dental sealants are often recommended for several reasons, such as:
- Children usually get their permanent molars around 6 years of age, and during this age, they are not adept at manipulating a toothbrush to clean their teeth.
- People with special needs face limitations when it comes to proper brushing and flossing.
- Some adults may be prone to dental caries due to the anatomy of their teeth which have extraordinarily deep pits and grooves.
Key benefits offered by dental sealants
Dental sealants are popular preventive measures employed offering excellent benefits. They:
- Are cost-effective
- Are easy to apply without any pain and discomfort
- Seal the deep grooves of the occlusal surfaces effectively
- Have versatile applications since they can be used by both children and adults
- Save time from extensive dental procedures by preventing caries and gum disease
The dental sealant application
Getting dental sealants is a simple and quick procedure.
Your dentist will:
- Clean your teeth, dry and isolate them using a rubber dam. This helps prevent excess moisture.
- Apply a thin layer of acid-etching solution on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of your teeth. This roughens the surfaces creating micropores for mechanical interlocking.
- Rinse the tooth with plain water.
- Apply an adequate amount of sealant material to the etched tooth surface.
- Expose the tooth to a curing light to harden the sealant.
Dental sealants shield your teeth from caries-causing bacteria by covering the pits and fissures on the occlusal surfaces. This is an excellent preventive measure that helps enhance your oral health by keeping oral problems at bay!
