Sealants

Dental sealants are a plastic-like coating that dentists can apply to the surface of your teeth. The purpose of dental sealants is to help prevent cavities. Studies show that dental sealants can help prevent cavities by as much as 80%. Dental sealants act as a barrier between activity that goes on in your mouth that can lead to a cavity—like food or bacteria—and the actual tooth itself.

The treatment of dental sealants is completely non-invasive. There’s no pain or discomfort involved at all, so you don’t need to be under anesthesia. The entire treatment usually takes only about half an hour or less to complete. In addition, the materials in dental sealants are non- toxic and contain no harmful metals like mercury or aluminum. Dental sealants are typically made of a liquid resin or plastic-based material.

What’s the Process of Getting Dental Sealants?

There is no drilling involved with getting dental sealants, and nothing permanent has to be changed about the tooth itself. The first step in the process is to get the teeth cleaned really well to remove plaque or any existing debris on the teeth. Next, the teeth will be thoroughly dried. An acidic gel will then be applied to the surface of the teeth, which simply prepares the surface of the teeth to accept the dental sealant material. The gel will then be rinsed away and the dentist will again dry the teeth. Finally, the dental sealant will be applied to the teeth. Dental sealants are applied to cover grooves and other crevices that are especially susceptible to cavities. The dentist will then use a blue light to “set and harden” the dental sealants so they last a long time.  This special blue light will be shone on the sealant. This will trigger a chemical reaction that will cause the sealant to become rock hard and protect the tooth for years to come from cavities. At this point the procedure is complete.

Dental sealants are appropriate for people of all age, but they are especially effective for children who have not yet succumbed to cavities. If you are interested in getting dental sealants for yourself or your child, please book your appointment today.