Category: dental sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that your dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of your teeth to prevent tooth decay. The dental sealants bond into the grooves and depressions on your teeth and form a protective shield over the teeth.

Also, dental sealants seal your teeth, preventing the accumulation of food particles and plaque in the cavities. Brushing and flossing can’t remove plaque deposits in the grooves on your teeth. Therefore, by sealing the teeth surfaces, it will be easier to remove some of the plaque deposits and food particles using a toothbrush or dental floss.

Who Needs Dental Sealants?

Before getting dental sealants in Highland Village, the dentist will first examine your teeth to ensure they are the right treatment options for you.

An eligible candidate for dental sealants has small pits on the enamels and at a high risk of developing tooth decay or bigger cavities. Most candidates for dental sealants are children and teenagers. However, even adults can benefit from dental sealants if their molars and premolars are at risk of decay.

Children from six to fourteen years are prone to dental cavities or tooth decay. Therefore, the kids should get dental sealants immediately after the permanent molars and premolars erupt.

If your kid’s baby teeth have deep grooves and pits on their surfaces, they can get dental sealants to protect from further decay and other complications such as tooth decay. Baby teeth play a significant role in holding in place spaces for permanent teeth. Therefore, getting dental sealants to keep the baby teeth healthy would be beneficial.

What to Expect During the Dental Sealants Procedure?

The procedure for applying dental sealants is painless and requires only a few minutes. Therefore, the dentist doesn’t need to use anesthesia. However, if your child dreads going for dental procedures, the dentist can use sedation techniques to make the child feel relaxed during the dental procedure.

Before applying the dental sealant, the dentist or oral hygienist will first examine to check if they are the best treatments for you. Alternatively, the dentist can use dental fillings to seal the pits if you have large cavities.

When applying the dental sealants, the dentist will begin by cleaning the teeth to eliminate any plaque and bacteria deposits in the cavities and teeth surfaces. Your dentist in Highland Village will then dry each tooth and place a ball of cotton wool or any other absorbent around the tooth to keep it dry.

Next, the dentist will apply an acid solution on the chewing surfaces to roughen them. Etching the teeth surfaces help the teeth helps the dental sealants bond to them. The dentist will then rinse and dry the teeth.

The last step of the procedure involves applying dental sealant. During the step, the dentist will use a small brush to paint the sealant material on the teeth. The dental sealant material dries on its own. However, sometimes the dentist can use a special light to harden the dental sealant material.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

If well taken care of, dental sealants can last up to 10 years without the need for a replacement. However, you can consider going for regular dental check-ups and cleanings. During the dental check-ups, your dentist in Highland will check your sealants for cracking and chipping.

Taking Care of Your Dental Sealants

Your dental sealants are still prone to cracking and chipping. Therefore, you should avoid every factor that can damage your dental sealants, such as gritting, clenching, and biting down hard on your teeth. Also, chewing or biting on hard objects and foods such as pens, nails, nuts, and ice can damage your dental sealants.

Although the dental sealants protect your teeth from decay and cavities, you should still practice good oral hygiene. The sealants protect your teeth but not your gums. Therefore, by brushing and flossing, you eliminate plaque deposits on the gum line and help prevent periodontal diseases. Eliminating the plaque deposits prevents discoloration, maintaining your smile aesthetics.

Dentist Near You?

Do you live in or around Highland Village and in need of dental sealants? Our dentists at Campbell and Williams Family Dental are experienced and dedicated to providing the best of services to you.

If your child has a spontaneous toothache, tooth sensitivity, or pain when biting and chewing, you need to see a dentist near you. They may have dental cavities, and without proper treatment, the cavities can affect the teeth and cause an extraction.

Kids are more twice more likely to get cavities than adults, possibly because of poor dental hygiene. Yes, they brush and floss as expected, but they often ignore the back teeth. This causes bacteria to accumulate and cause decay. If you want to protect your child’s teeth from cavities, you need more than proper hygiene—dental sealants.

Dental sealants are thin coatings applied on the teeth, mostly the back teeth, to shield them from bacterial attack. Before you get dental sealants near you, here are a few facts to know.

1. Sealants are Ideal for Children, but Adults Can Use Them Too While the CDC recommends dental sealants for school going children (because they are prone to cavities), adults can also use them.

However, before these plastic coatings are painted on the teeth, the dentist will confirm if you are eligible.

•  Healthy gums and teeth free of decay
• No dental fillings. Remember, the sealants act as a barrier to protect the teeth. Having fillings will compromise the integrity of the sealants.

2. They Are Effective in Preventing Cavities

The CDC reports that dental sealants can prevent up to 80 percent of the cavities within the first year of application. After that, the sealants shield around 58 percent (which is still effective). The organization further states that children who do not have sealants are twice as likely to develop dental cavities than those who do.

These resilts, however, are dependent on when the sealants are applied. While the dentist can coat your teeth anytime, it is advisable to get sealants when the first molar comes out (at age seven or eight). The sealants will be effective in preventing cavities if applied correctly and at the right time.

3. The Sealant Application Procedure is Painless

Dental sealants are non-invasive and are applied on the teeth surface. This means that the dentist does not use local anesthesia unless necessary. However, if your child has dental phobia, the dentist will use laughing gas to keep them calm.

The process is fast and is done in one dental visit:

• Dental cleaning. Our dentist in 75077 will first do a professional cleaning to remove any plaque buildup. Next, he will dry the teeth to be sealed with cotton or other absorbent materials.
• The dentist will separate the teeth with a sheet to keep them clean and dry. Remember, saliva can affect the bonding process and cause the sealant application to fail.
• Our Highland Village dentist will roughen the chewing surface with an acid solution to make it easy for the sealant to bone.
• He will rinse the teeth, dry them, and begin the process of applying the sealant. Although the sealant dries up quickly, the dentist may use a special light to hasten the process.

The dentist will evaluate the sealants for any cracks, spaces in between, or if there are bubbles.

4. Dental Sealants Are Safe

There are a few doubts about the dental sealants’ safety because of the BPA levels. However, the CDC and ADA report that dental sealants are safe.

Bisphenol A is believed to affect the immune, thyroid, and nervous system. And, because the most common sealant is made of plastic, most parents assume they contain BPA. However, the two organizations state that the BPA levels in dental sealants are negligible and cannot cause harm.

5. Dental Sealants Work Best When Combined with Other Preventive Dental Measures

Dental sealants are part of our preventive measures. However, for them to be effective in preventing cavities, it is important to combine them with other treatments. We offer fluoride treatments that help strengthen the enamel. We also recommend visiting our pediatric dentist every six months for professional cleaning.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Campbell & Williams Family Dental Clinic for more information on dental sealants and how they can prevent cavities.

According to the American Dental Association, dental sealants are safe and ideal for children as they prevent dental cavities and also preserve their teeth.

Children are prone to dental cavities; four out of every five kids have had dental decay. Not only because their teeth are still developing and aren’t as strong, but also because of poor dental hygiene. Let’s face it, no matter how well you teach your children how to brush, they will still leave a few teeth, especially the back ones, untouched. While there are several ways you can prevent dental cavities, dental sealants have proven to be among the best. But, what are sealants, and how do they work? Keep reading to learn more.

1. Does My Child Need Dental Sealants?

It is not a mandatory dental procedure, but it is highly recommended by the Center for Diseases Control as well as the American Dental Association.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are painted on the teeth (mostly molars) to protect them from decay. Most molars accumulate food particles and if not cleaned properly, provide a perfect environment for the bacteria to grow and cause decay.

2. How Effective Are the Sealants?

The Center for Diseases Control reports that that sealants can prevent dental cavities by 80 percent in the first year of application. The effectiveness of the sealants reduces to about 55 percent within four years because of wear and tear, but they are still effective in preventing cavities. Furthermore, children who don’t have sealants are twice more likely to develop dental decay.

3. How Are the Dental Sealants Applied?

The sealants are applied in one dental visit and since it is a painless process, anesthesia won’t be needed. The process involves a few steps:

• The teeth will be cleaned off any plaques and tartar
• Cotton or an absorbent material will be used to dry the teeth
• The dentist will then apply an acid solution on the teeth edges to roughen them up to help the sealants bond properly.
• After the acid is rinsed off, the sealant will be applied in liquid form and hardened with a special light

4. What About the Plastic in the Sealants; Isn’t Harmful?

The most used dental sealants are the resin-based sealants that contain BPA or Bisphenol A. BPA is believed to impair several body functions such as the thyroid and nervous system. However, according to both the CDC and ADA, the BPA content in sealants is too minimal to cause any harm. Did you know breathing air exposes to more BPA (100 more times) than sealants?

But if you are worried about the BPA, you can choose the Glass Isomer Sealants (GIC). They don’t have BPA but are less effective in protecting the teeth as the resin ones. Speak to our dentist about your options if you are considering to get dental sealants in Highland Village, TX.

5. What’s the Longevity of the Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are recommended for children and teenagers because they can last between five and ten years. Moreover, this the time when the teeth and jaw fully develop and protecting them is paramount.

Dental sealants will wear and tear eventually and they may need to be replaced. Keep in mind, when the sealants crack, they will provide a perfect environment for bacteria to fester thereby affecting the very teeth you want to protect.

We advise you to get a regular pediatric dental checkup for the dentist to check the wear and tear of sealants.

6. Can The Children Still Use Sealants into Adulthood?

As aforementioned, dental sealants have a shell life of between five to ten years. Therefore, the sealants will come off by the time the child turns 18 years. Whether or not they can get the sealants, is something the dentist can advise on, although adults can still wear them.

Take Away

Dental sealants can protect your child’s teeth. However, they are not a replacement for proper dental hygiene. You still need to get the fluoride treatment to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities. A dental checkup every six months is advised as we will offer professional cleaning and exam.

If you are looking for dental sealants in Highland Village, contact us or visit Campbell & Williams Family Dental for discussion on the process and the sealant options available.

Dental sealants are reputed to prevent cavities in children as well as adults for many years but are they truly as effective as they claim to be? It has often been mentioned that brushing teeth is important but a more effective method of preventing cavities children is by getting dental sealants. If you research dental sealants near you the dentist at the clinic will provide you information that this is a relatively simple and inexpensive procedure for children that is highly beneficial.

Dental sealants are painted on the teeth as protection against cavities. The procedure is painless and can cost between $30-$60 per tooth. Discount plans and insurance can reduce the costs by some margin. The trend of dental sealants is gaining traction as nearly 50 percent of children have them. They have been effective for over four decades and are considered safe and effective for everyone.

What Does The Research Reveal?

Reports from the CDC mention that dental sealants can prevent 80 percent cavities for up to two years after being applied. The protection continues against 50 percent cavities for up to four years. The sealants applied can be retained in the mouth for about nine years. Approximately 43 percent of children in the age group of 6 to 11 have a dental sealant in their mouths. Children from higher-income households figure prominently among the children that have sealants while 20 percent of children from lower-income households do not have them. The incidence of cavities among children without sealants is almost 3 times higher than children with sealants.

Significant savings of up to $300 million in dental treatment costs can be achieved by applying sealants in school-based programs to approximately 7 million children that don’t have the sealants in their mouths. Sealants are applied in a noninvasive treatment but need to be monitored and maintained by visiting dentists regularly to ensure they have not worn off. Practitioners need to apply the sealants correctly because they are technically sensitive to the areas where they are placed.

Why Are Sealants Considered Essential?

Children are known to report lost school time because of tooth decay as it can interfere with their sleeping, eating, and other activities. Additionally, they can prevent cavities and ensure that the teeth remain intact. The natural structure of the tooth is compromised when it is drilled, filled, restored or extracted. Significant costs are involved in maintaining the restored implant or tooth.

Disadvantages Of Sealants

Some disadvantages and potential problems also exist with sealants mention the dentists applying dental sealants in Highland Village. They need to be applied again if they chip away, fall out or wear. During the replacement, additional material may need to be drilled or removed by using a scaler. The concerns of environmental exposure about synthetic estrogens like bisphenol A [BPA] have also been expressed.

The levels of BPA in the saliva are at their highest three hours after the application and return to the baseline in about a day. However, the levels of BPA have not been detected in blood serum during clinical studies and therefore additional research is required.

Parents that are concerned about BPA levels more than the risks of tooth decay must understand that treating the decay will expose children to many dental materials with more chemicals than BPA. Despite alternative materials for sealants existing sufficient information is not available about whether they are better than the sealants containing BPA.

The Long-Term Benefits Of Dental Sealants

The dentist offering dental sealants in Highland Village TX will confirm that the sealants if applied perfectly, can last for a lifetime. However, it has been observed that they often need to be replaced. When children begin getting new teeth with grooves such as molars and premolars the sealants need to be applied again. If the child is old enough to tolerate the procedure baby or primary teeth can also be sealed. Generally, younger children undergo the procedure of getting sealants only when they are displaying an increased risk of tooth decay.

It is recommended that individual advice be sought from the dental team on when the sealants should be applied. Any vulnerable surfaces must be sealed but retention is better in the grooves. People regardless of their age can benefit from sealants because their exposure to tooth decay increases. They are also affected by the protective quality and changes in saliva with medications over time. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that adults are also candidates for dental sealants.

Dental sealants are truly effective and have proven themselves over time. It is the reason why they are recommended by dentists as well as the CDC as an effective option to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Dental sealants are a common procedure that dentist near you in Highland Village use for sealing off and preventing the cavities. Let’s explore some more:

How do Dental Sealants Work?

Food that’s left on teeth fuels bad bacteria which cause cavities by giving them nutrition that they need to thrive. Molars especially prone to cavities as the naturally occurring pit can easily trap the food particles than other teeth. Dental sealants in TX work for preventing the cavities by sealing the pits and fissures which naturally occur in the molars. Sealants seal off the pit and fissures to prevent cavities and tooth decay from worsening and keep the tooth healthy.

Who can get Dental Sealants?

Most of the dental sealants are applied to the children for protecting their molars from decay and cavity. They are applied as a preventive measure to keep the food particles out of the pit and fissures in molars. However, even adults can get the sealants applied. People who are more susceptible to cavity are advised to get sealants from the dentist.

What Kinds of Sealants are Popular?

Sealants in Highland Village are basically composite liquid resin that is applied on the surface of the tooth and then cured by light or chemical exposure so that they bond to the tooth. Most of the sealants contain a small trace amount of BPA, but it’s not at a level that can cause any harm. In fact, it’s said that one gets more exposure to BPA by touching a receipt or handling makeup powder than dental sealants.

How Long do Dental Sealants Last?

It has been observed that with proper dental care, the sealants can last effectively for up to 10 years. The dentist will check the sealants during regular checkups and replace the sealants if needed.

Do Dental Sealants Hurt?

Application of sealant is one of the easiest and painless procedures. There’s no drilling. The dentist will clean the teeth and apply the gel- bonding with them followed by application of sealant. He will cure it with a blue light for hardening it.