Dental Sealants And Its Benefits

What are dental sealants?

A dental sealant is a clear, thin coating made of resin material. It is applied to the back teeth (premolars and molars) to protect against decay. Dental sealants are most commonly recommended for children, though they can be beneficial for adults as well.

What types of teeth can be sealed?

Sealants can be placed on adult teeth or baby teeth. Sealants are most often placed on permanent molars, but can also be placed on premolars and any teeth at risk for decay.

Do dental sealants work?

Sealants are thin coatings placed on teeth to help prevent decay. The teeth are covered with the sealant, and an acid etch is applied to help the sealant adhere. A special light is used to harden the sealant. Sealants can last for several years.

Sealants have been shown to be effective at preventing decay. They have been shown to be most effective when placed soon after the molars have erupted. Sealants don’t prevent cavities, but they can keep decay from starting.

Benefits of dental sealants

• Protects teeth from decay

Dental sealants create a barrier on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. When a patient has dental sealants applied, they are much less likely to develop cavities.

• Can protect against gingivitis

Plaque buildup and acid from bacteria cause irritate and inflame your gum tissue, which can lead to gingivitis. Dental sealants can protect your teeth from bacteria, helping to reduce plaque buildup and the risk of gingivitis.

• Seals out food particles

The sealants create a smooth surface that makes it difficult for food particles to cling to the tooth. This cuts down on the number of plaque-causing bacteria that grow on your teeth. This, in turn, reduces your chance of developing tooth decay.

• Last for many years

Some dental sealants can last for up to 10 years and help reduce the risk of cavities.

• Easy to clean

Dental sealants make it easy for you to keep your teeth clean. The grooves and depressions in the chewing surface of your teeth can be difficult to keep free of food particles. Sealants cover the grooves and depressions, so you won’t have to worry about food particles getting stuck in your teeth.

• Quick procedure to complete

Placing dental sealants only takes a few minutes per tooth. Our dentist can clean the teeth, dry up the saliva, and then apply the sealant to the grooves of the tooth. When the sealant is dry, it protects the tooth from decay-causing acids and plaque.

How long do sealants last?

Dental sealants can last for many years, maybe even up to a decade. However, this length of time depends entirely on the patient. If the patient has poor oral health habits or eats a lot of sugary foods and drinks, then sealants may not last as long. Patients should also continue to attend their dental appointments every six months so that our dentists can check the sealants and make sure that the teeth are healthy.

Please get in touch with our dental practice in Anaheim Hills, CA, to have a consultation with our Dentist in Anaheim Hills. Please call us at (714) 974-0949 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.