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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.