Children’s molars are highly susceptible to cavities as the back teeth have pits and fissures on them, allowing food particles and debris to get trapped. The child’s dentist may recommend dental sealants for adults seal the child’s molars, leaving you asking what is a dental sealant?
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. The aim of applying sealants is to prevent tooth decay and cavities. The plastic coating bonds quickly into the pits and fissures, forming a protective barrier over the enamel of every tooth. You may wonder why your child must receive an application of dental sealants when they are brushing and flossing their teeth appropriately.
Your child’s dentist provides an accurate description of why your child must have an additional protective barrier over their teeth even if they are brushing and flossing appropriately. Sealants are an effective and safe method of protecting teeth from cavities and tooth decay. You do not have to express anxiety when your child is recommended dental sealants. The simple and straightforward application is relatively painless and inexpensive but provides a host of benefits helping your child to stay free from dental issues, either minor or significant. After hearing about the benefits of dental sealants, you would want to know how are dental sealants placed?
The Procedure for Applying Dental Sealants
Applying the sealants is a straightforward and painless procedure requiring merely a few minutes for the dentist or hygienist to accomplish the task. The steps are as follows:
- The targeted teeth for sealing are thoroughly cleaned.
- Each tooth is dried with cotton or any other absorbent material to ensure the tooth remains dry.
- An etching solution is applied to each tooth’s chewing surfaces to roughen them to help the bonding agent adhere to the tooth.
- The teeth are rinsed once again and dried.
- The dental sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel allowing it to bond directly to the tooth and harden. The dentist in Morristown, NJ, uses a specific curing light to help the sealant harden.
Do Sealants Last Long?
The Morristown dentist uses a perfect technique for the application of dental sealants, ensuring they last for their lifespan. However, dental sealants need replacements, which the dentist checks during regular exams and cleanings. However, if maintained appropriately, dental sealants can remain on the teeth protecting against cavities for up to 9 years, confirms the centres for disease control and prevention (CDC). Therefore dental sealants, despite not being permanent, offer adequate protection against cavities for quite some time. You may inquire with the dentist about how long does a dental sealant last? However, the answer you receive will not differ entirely from the information provided in this article.
After hearing about how dental sealants provide a protective barrier against cavities on the molars, you may want to inquire with the dentist, “can dental sealants be placed on the teeth of adults?” The response to your inquiry is positive because adults also profit from dental sealants. Adults are more susceptible to tooth decay because of the saliva’s protective quality and biochemistry changes with age. The use of medications for health conditions can also incorporate changes in the saliva. Adults with restorations like fillings or implants will not benefit from dental sealants. However, adults with excellent dental health and without any repairs can have dental sealants on their molars to benefit from the protective barrier it provides against cavities.
Are Dental Sealants Essential for Children?
They cannot be a debate about whether children need dental sealants or not. Dental sealants are an essential requirement for children because the bond prevents cavities for two years by up to 80 percent, by four years for up to 50 percent, and remains on the teeth for up to 9 years.
Children between six and 11 having sealants are less susceptible to cavities than children without them. Adhesives are the most conservative and non-invasive treatment as a preventive measure against cavities. However, you must ensure your child’s dentist is an expert at handling children because if the sealants are not applied correctly, the results may not be successful. However, dental sealants are undoubtedly essential for children during their growing years when their molars develop, making them susceptible to tooth decay and cavities.