Dental Sealants
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are white plastic coatings that are usually placed on the chewing surface of the permanent and primary back teeth (premolars and molars) to help protect against dental decay.
Why are dental sealants placed on teeth?
Chewing surfaces of molars and premolars have deep grooves often called "fissures."This makes these teeth vulnerable to decay. These fissures can be difficult to clean, deep and can be too narrow for the bristles of your toothbrush to clean. Food and plaque accumulates in these areas, and the acid from bacteria in the plaque attacks the enamel and cavities can develop. Fluoride helps to prevent decay and helps protect all the surfaces of the teeth, where as dental sealants provide extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas by providing a smooth surface covering over the fissured area. You can also have dental sealants that contain a slow release of fluoride into the tooth. The dental sealant creates a ”skating rink” on your tooth surface where food will just slide off instead of getting stuck in deep grooves.
When are dental sealants placed?
As soon as a deep groove is detected on a tooth a need for a sealant is established. Often the first dental sealant to be placed is usually on the first permanent molar tooth. Once the chewing surface of the tooth has erupted, completely beyond the gum the sealant can be placed. This tooth comes in behind the baby teeth. If the chewing surfaces of these teeth are sealed, the dental sealant will help protect the tooth. After eruption of 12 year old molars, premolars and wisdom teeth, sealants can be placed on these teeth after erupting beyond the gum level.
Are dental sealants only placed on the chewing surface of molar and premolar permanent teeth?
Dental sealants are typically placed on the chewing surfaces of these teeth because these are the areas and teeth that usually have deep fissures. Dental sealants are sometimes also used on other permanent teeth if they have grooves or pits. Sealants in these areas help to protect these surfaces. In some children, the primary molars (baby teeth) also have grooves that could benefit from dental sealants and in this location our Hygienist may recommend dental sealants on the chewing surfaces of these primary teeth.
Can dental sealants be place on the teeth of adults?
Yes, sealants are not just for children and teenagers, but for adults too. Dental sealants are sometimes placed in adults who are at risk for cavities and on deep grooves & fissures that do not already have fillings or dental sealants.
What do dental sealants look like?
Dental sealants can be clear, white or have a slight shade depending upon the dental sealant used.
How are dental sealants placed?
The tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned with a paste and revolving brush by our Hygienist. Next the tooth is washed with water and dried. Then a solution (we call it tooth shampoo) that is acidic is placed on the fissured area (deep groove and/or pit) of the tooth’s chewing surface for a number of seconds before being rinsed off. This creates small microscopic areas and a fine rougher surface than the surrounding tooth enamel, which can be seen with a microscope. The rough surface and microscopic areas allow the dental sealant to attach to the tooth. After the tooth is dry, the liquid dental sealant is placed on the tooth and hardened by using a light that hardens the dental sealant. Once the dental sealant has hardened it becomes a hard plastic gloss coating, and you can chew on the tooth again. This is a really easy procedure, no freezing is need. Essentially this procedure is just like painting nail polish on your finger nail but it is on your tooth.
How long does a dental sealant last?
Since the 1970s dental sealants have used and proven to be effective. Many studies have shown that they are effective in helping to prevent decay on chewing surfaces. Dental sealants can last many years. If necessary, we can place a new dental sealant on the tooth.
Do I still need to use fluoride if I have dental sealants?
Yes. Dental sealants only protect the surface area that they are placed on. Fluoride helps guard all the surfaces of the tooth from decay and cavities.
