All of your teeth are covered on the surface with tiny cracks and grooves. Toothbrushes often have a difficult time reaching into every one of these tiny cracks to clean them properly, even if you follow a good oral health routine and brush multiple times a day. Over the course of time, bacteria and food may get trapped in the cracks and grooves, which can lead to cavities, decay, and tooth loss.
That’s where dental sealants come in! Dental sealants strengthen your teeth, giving them an added layer of protection.
What are dental sealants?
Put most simply, dental sealants are very thin layers of a plastic resin that is bonded to the surface of affected teeth. The sealants create a solid barrier by filling in the deep grooves and hardening. Sealants also make the surface of your teeth more smooth, meaning that they’ll be even easier to keep clean.
Should I get dental sealants?
We highly recommend sealants for children just growing in their permanent teeth. We also recommend sealants as a simple and effective preventive measure that adults can take to help prevent cavities and tooth decay.
What is the process to have dental sealant treatments?
The dental sealant treatment process is quick and straightforward. As always, you’ll first have an exam to make sure that sealants are right for you. Then we’ll perform a complete and thorough cleaning to make sure that even the hard to reach places in your mouth are clean.
After that, we’ll make sure your teeth are dry, and the resin will be put over the affected teeth. Once it’s in place, we’ll bond it to your tooth with a special curing light.
And that’s it! An easy process that will keep your smile great for years to come.
How long will the sealants last?
The life span of sealants depends on your personal oral hygiene routine. In general, you can expect sealants to last from three to five years. In some patients they last even longer – some people still have sealants that they got when they were kids!
If you are interested in sealants, just give us a call. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and to schedule an appointment to see if they are right for you.
