Dental sealants are the teeth’s wall of protection against decay-causing bacteria. The sealants are put on the premolars and molars, which is where decay typically occurs. At Culebra North Dental Care we offer this popular procedure to San Antonio and the surrounding areas.
Dental Sealant Procedure
This is a very simple, pain-free procedure. The teeth that will be sealed are first cleaned. Then the chewing surfaces are roughened with acid solution to make sure the sealant will stick to the tooth. Then the dentist paints on the sealant to the tooth enamel. It will bond to the tooth and harden through the help of a special curing light.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dentists have been advocating sealants for 30 years for many reasons:
- Makes it difficult for plaque to stick to teeth
- Prevents more than 80 percent of dental decay
- Reduces the future need for fillings and dental work
- Presents an economical, preventive measure to keep teeth healthy for years
Dental Sealant Candidates
All children who have permanent molars are the best candidates. The first sets of permanent molars are called “6 year molars” and appear between the ages of 5-7 years old. The next sets of molars are called “12 year molars” and usually appear when the child is 11-14 years old. Also, if you are teenager or adult without cavities you can get sealants.
Effectiveness of Dental Sealants
Sealants are 100 percent effective if they are fully retained on the tooth. If a sealant is lost or partially lost, it can readily be replaced to continue its effectiveness.
Do I still need to brush and floss my dental sealants?
Yes! It is very important to still brush teeth twice a day, and floss daily. Sealants are just one part of the defensive against plaque build-up and cavities.
Contact Culebra North Dental Care today to make a dental sealant appointment to help keep teeth healthy for years to come.
