Dental Sealants

DENTAL SEALANTS

In essence, dental sealants are nothing more than thin plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of teeth. In most cases it is the back teeth that benefit the most from this type of treatment. That is because molars are most susceptible to tooth decay. The sealant is rather unique in that it is able to quickly bond directly into the grooves and depressions of the biting or chewing surface of teeth. This results in a protective shield that is designed to insulate the tooth from decay.

The Best Candidate For This Type Of Treatment

Perhaps most important of all is that this type of sealant helps to keep teeth resistant from tiny particles and plaque that can work their way into very small surfaces of the tooth. Sealants are best described as a type of treatment that protects vulnerable segments of the tooth from decay by preventing plaque in food from coming into contact with the tooth surface. It is important to note that children and teenagers are in most cases the best candidate for this type of treatment. That said adults do benefit from dental sealants as well. A dental professional will typically apply sealants to the permanent molars and premolars for children as soon as these teeth emerge.

Better Able To Bond Permanently

This is particularly important because during the ages of around 5 to 15, children are most prone to developing cavities and tooth decay. In other instances, dental sealants can even be used for infants’ teeth depending on the particular case. Sealant is applied by first thoroughly cleaning the teeth, and then drying them using absorbent material. Next an acid solution is used to etch the teeth so that the sealant is better able to bond permanently. Finally, the sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel where it then bonds and hardens. Contact your Pinole dentist, Dr. Hosseini at Top Pinole Dental to learn more about the importance of dental sealants.