A smile is something that needs protecting and the dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo has just what you need for protections. Dental sealants provide a convenient way to help protect your smile.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealant is a thin, composite coating applied over the chewing surfaces of your teeth, mostly the back teeth (molars and premolars), to mitigate tooth decay. It quickly bonds into the grooves or depressions of your teeth, creating a protective shield over the tooth's enamel. Sealants protect the vulnerable areas of your mouth, such as nooks and crannies, that you can't clean effectively through regular brushing and flossing. The experts at Brady Dental of Amarillo can help you with all your dental needs.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Children and teenagers are very likely to develop decay in the grooves and depressions of their premolars and molars and are, therefore, candidates for dental sealants. But adults who do not have decay or fillings in their molars can still get sealants.
Children need to get sealants on their molars and premolars as soon as they develop a full set of teeth. Sealants are a good way to protect baby teeth during those vulnerable years when the teeth are more likely to become cavities-prone.
Sealants are also safe for baby teeth if the baby teeth have deep depressions or grooves in them. Because baby teeth help determine how long the later teeth should last and promote a healthy eruption pattern for adult dentition, therefore, it's very crucial that we keep them healthy.
How Dental Sealants Are Applied
Applying dental sealant is a straightforward, painless process. It takes just a few minutes for your hygienist or dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo to apply the sealant to conceal each tooth. First the teeth to be sealed are first thoroughly cleaned. Then each tooth is dried, and an absorbent material like cotton is put around it to keep it dry. An acid solution is applied on the chewing surface of your teeth to roughen it up, enabling the sealant to bond to the teeth, then the treated teeth are rinsed and thoroughly dried. A sealant is finally applied onto the tooth enamel and allowed to bond directly to the tooth and harden. Then a special curing light to help the sealant harden.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealant is a great way to prevent decay-inducing bacteria from damaging your teeth and gums. There are many tiny grooves that allow bacteria to easily enter your mouth. This can easily lead to decay and destruction. Sealants provide a convenient way to help protect your smile.
Protect Against Cavities
Dental sealant prevents cavities by covering the molars with a clear thin composite that looks like teeth. This protective coating helps to keep bacteria from sticking to the tooth surface. The procedure of applying dental sealants to the back of the teeth is completely pain-free and requires no modification of the tooth surface. However, the teeth need to be completely clean before they can be sealed; that is why they need to be cleaned once to remove any traces of food or plaque.
It is then necessary to clean the affected tooth and dry it thoroughly before applying the dental sealant to the surface of the teeth. When the teeth are completely dry, a thin layer of dental bonding agent is applied to help bond the dental sealant to the tooth and allowed to set for a period of time. All the cracks and crevices are sealed, and the tooth will be properly cured to make the sealants last. Dental sealants will last for 5 to 10 years if you take good care of them.
Suitable For All Ages
Sealants are useful for adults as well, not just for children. Children are the most likely to get the sealants, but anyone can benefit from them. Some teeth are even covered with tiny sloughs that need to be filled to prevent bacterial infection. The professionals at Brady Dental of Amarillo can help determine if you could benefit from dental sealant.
Reduce Deep Grooves
Molars are usually deeper, so it is harder to clean them. No amount of toothbrush bristles will reach all the crevices and depressions that are present in molars and premolars. It is easy for food particles and plaque to accumulate in hard-to-reach places. Eventually, this will lead to tooth decay. Dental sealant prevents decay from developing in areas susceptible to bacterial growth.
Long-Lasting
Sealants should be applied to children's teeth when they are very susceptible to cavities. They will protect them for many years if you properly care for them. Sealants last longer if you keep your mouth clean and avoid biting hard objects. During dental check-ups, your dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo will check the sealants and recommend re-application or repair when appropriate.
Save You Money
Sealants protect your child's teeth quickly and easily, and they cost less than dental restorations. Most insurance companies include dental sealants on the list of treatments that are covered by their policies. If children can avoid expensive and painful cavities, they will save much more money.
Quick and Painless Process
The procedure for adding a dental sealant to a tooth is simple. It takes a short time to prepare your teeth by cleaning them and preparing them with a mild solution that is similar to lemon juice or vinegar. This will make it easier for the sealant to stick to the tooth. It is necessary to temporarily roughen the surface of each tooth in order that the sealant material will sit securely on the tooth.
After removing the decayed material from the teeth, the sealant material is then applied to the teeth. Sealants can flow from one side of a tooth into a depression or groove on the other side of a tooth, filling in the gap or depression. After the fillings are allowed to harden for 1-2 minutes, the tooth will be sealed and protected from bacteria that may be able to get into the cavities and grooves.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants may protect your teeth from decay for as long as ten years, but they will need to be checked periodically for chipped or worn-out areas. Your dental office can replace sealants as often as needed.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Sealants?
Many dental insurance plans will pay for the cost of dental sealant, but only if the patient is less than 14 years old. Check to see if your dental plan covers sealants.
Get Quality Sealants Today
Although dental sealants are extremely effective in preserving your teeth, they cannot replace good oral hygiene habits, regular dental cleanings and exams, or good eating habits. When your dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo conducts a thorough exam, they can help you decide if you or your young ones would benefit from having a dental sealant. If you are a candidate for dental sealants, the procedure can be performed on the same day you have your exam or cleaning. Sealants are fast and painless, and more affordable than dental restorations. Contact Brady Dental of Amarillo today to schedule your consultation.
