Dental sealants are one of the most effective primary preventive measures that can be taken in order to prevent tooth cavities. Our dentists at World Dental Clinic dental clinic located in Thornhill, Ontario strongly encourage dental sealants among children and adults to prevent cavities. Here, we will unravel understanding dental sealants including its background, mechanisms as well as how to get it and recommendations to take afterward.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Definition and Purpose
Dental sealants are thin resin-based protective barriers placed on the biting surfaces of back teeth and include the molars and premolars. These teeth have sharp indentations where food and germs can accumulate, causing cavities more than other teeth. Seal teeth are meant to act as a shield that will encapsulate these grooves and pits so that unhealthy substances will not stick to the surface and cause cavities.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
The major advantage of seal teeth is the fact that they greatly help to decrease the chances of contracting tooth decay. The American Dental Association explains that sealants prevent molars from being up to 80% vulnerable to decay. This preventive measure can help avoid having to spend time, money, and feel pain when going for a cavity treatment. Moreover, sealants are a conservative, comfortable, and fast approach to help protect your teeth throughout a long period.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
This procedure is most often suggested for children and adolescents, because they are the most susceptible to the development of caries in the newly emerged permanent teeth. Nevertheless, even the adults without any decay or fillings of their molars should also use sealants. It is recommended that you consult your World Dental Clinic dentist to advise you if dental sealants are ideal for you or your child.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
The Application Process
Dental sealants can be applied without any discomfort and this usually takes approximately five to ten minutes to apply on every tooth. First, the teeth are cleaned and then they are dried. An acidic gel is then applied on the chewing surfaces of the teeth so as to help the sealant to bond well on the teeth surface.
After approximately a few seconds, the gel is washed off and the teeth are dried up again for analysis. Special liquid sealant material is then syringed and painted on the surface of the tooth where it adheres to the enamel and hardens. There are self-curing sealants and there are sealants that need to be cured using a special curing light.
Materials Used in Dental Sealants
Sealants are prepared from a plastic resin material that is harmless when ingested, resistant, and non-toxic to human cells. The most frequently used material is a resin that cures in visible light, the process being similar to the hardening of dental resin. The sealants used in some cases contain fluoride that enhances the teeth’s resilience to decay.
Effectiveness in Preventing Cavities
A number of researches have proven how beneficial dental sealants can be in preventing tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association, sealants’ effectiveness ranges from 80% within the next two years after application to 50% for cavities protection for up to 4 years. When maintained and taken care of well, sealants may even last for several years and are therefore a long-term, economical measure of warding off cavities.
The Procedure of Applying Dental Sealants
Preparing the Teeth
In dental sealant procedure, the surface of the teeth covered by the sealant must be cleaned and dried first. Your dentist or dental hygienist will scrape off the remaining deposits on the surface of the tooth using a polishing brush and paste. An air syringe is then used to remove all forms of moisture on the teeth. This step is imperative for the reason that the sealant ought to adhere properly to the enamel of the tooth.
Step-by-Step Application
1. Acid gel is painted on the chewing part of the teeth so that their surface becomes a bit rough to increase chances of sealant sticking to the enamel. This gel is left on for a few seconds before being rinsed off.
2. The teeth are then dried again using an air syringe.
3. The liquid sealant is then applied on the tooth’s surface by using a small brush on an applicator.
4. If a light-cured sealant is used, a special curing light is applied to harden the material. Self-curing sealants will harden on their own within a few minutes.
5. When the sealant has set, your dentist will examine your bite and recommend changes if they are uncomfortable.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Dental sealant application is painless and can be done in a short span of time with little discomfort. When the doctor applies the acidic gel, you may experience a minor sensation of burning or tingle, and this is right. This whole process normally takes only a few minutes per tooth and after application of the sealants you are free to eat or drink as you wish.
Aftercare and Maintenance
Daily Oral Hygiene Tips
The coating made by the dental sealants gives an added barrier against the formation of cavities but this does not mean that proper dental hygiene is not necessary. To maintain the effectiveness of your sealants and overall oral health:
· Make sure to use fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth at least for two minutes, two times a day.
· Clean between the teeth and around the gum-line by flossing at least once a day using a suitable mouthwash.
· Rinse the mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash which assists in eliminating bad bacteria and their effects on your breath.
· Reduce as much as possible foods and beverages that are high in sugar and acid.
Regular Dental Check-ups
World Dental Clinic encourages dental check-ups, and cleanings even for clients with dental sealants applied to their teeth. Routine dental checkups will see our dentists evaluate the overall health of your sealants and determine if they require replacement. In special cases, the sealants can be applied again and again as a way of maintaining a constant protection against the effects of decay. It also helps our team to diagnose and treat any other possible oral complications during routine visits.
Longevity and Durability of Dental Sealants
If well applied and well maintained, dental sealants can last for several years without needing replacement. The efficacy of the sealants is known to last for an average of 5 years up to a maximum of 10 years. Your bite pressure, how clean or dirty your teeth are, and what types of foods you eat are some of the factors that you have control over and can affect the longevity of the sealants. If you have sealants placed on your teeth, your dentist will examine them during routine checkups to see if they need to be reapplied.
Common Questions About Dental Sealants
Are Dental Sealants Safe?
Yes, the application of dental sealants is safe and its use has been recorded in dentistry over the years. Also, sealants’ plastic resin material includes biocompatible, and plenty of research has already been done to find that they are safe. According to the research, the American Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Association approve the application of dental sealants because they are strong preventive tools against the decay process.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Dental sealants can be expected to last for five or more years; however, everybody’s case is different and there is no definite time. Proper care and maintenance can make the sealants to last for between five to ten years. At World Dental Clinic, it is recommended to have your teeth checked frequently so that the state of the sealants can be assessed and when the next application should be done.
Can Adults Get Dental Sealants?
Even adults can opt for dental sealants as well. Although sealants are used mostly for children and teenagers, anyone who lacks decay and fillings in their molars can get sealants added for extra defense against cavities. It might be possible to find out if dental sealants are suitable for you with the help of the dentist in the World Dental Clinic.
Do Dental Sealants Hurt?
No, dental sealants application is painless. Sometimes, when the specialized gel with acid is used to process your teeth, you will observe that you experience a tingly feeling on the surface of your teeth, but it does not hurt at all. The entire process is therefore non-surgical and the technique does not use anesthesia or drills.
Conclusion
Summary of Benefits
Sealants are safe and will not harm your teeth and are one of the best ways of preventing tooth decay. They prevent bacteria and debris from getting trapped in the narrow troughs and fissures of molars and premolars, thereby preventing cavities. This single precaution can help you avoid loss of time, money, and the inconvenience of filling a cavity.
Final Thoughts on Dental Sealants
At World Dental Clinic in Thornhill, Ontario we endorse that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dental health. We consider Dental sealants as one of the most reliable methods to support the battle against cavities and we recommend its usage for kids and adults. To know more about dental sealants or to book an appointment, you are warmly welcomed to call our friendly staff. It is our pleasure to help you regain and maintain the attractive and healthy smile for many years.
