By Ezra Julia
Protecting your teeth from harmful bacteria is essential to safeguard their integrity and overall oral health. Preventive measures to protect teeth are considered to be beneficial, especially for your children. A good diet and proper oral hygiene practices can help achieve a healthy oral cavity.
The pediatric dentistry in Fullerton focuses on the oral health of children and offers them preventive treatments to minimize the risk of oral problems. One such procedure is the application of sealants. But what is a sealant and how does it work? Let us find out more about dental sealants.
| Sealants are defined as thin, transparent varnish that is applied on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth, namely the premolars and the molars. The sealants are in a liquid form which when applied can effectively settle into the deep pits and grooves of the teeth, sealing them completely. This prevents plaque and bacterial adhesion by forming protective coatings that shield your teeth from harmful disease-causing bacteria. |
Why are dental sealants used?
Dental sealants are used to manage and treat:
- Pits and fissures of deciduous teeth in children
- People with an increased risk of caries
- Pits and fissures of permanent teeth in children and adolescents
- Pits and grooves of permanent teeth in adults
- Incipient caries lesions in children, adolescents, and adults
- Teeth that are not accessible to regular brushing and flossing
What benefits are offered by dental sealants?
Dental sealants are popular among pediatric patients since they provide the following versatile benefits.
- They are easy to apply
- Sealant application is less time-consuming
- The sealant application does not require any tooth preparation, thus preserving the natural tooth structure
- A dental sealant is an affordable material
- The sealant is easy to maintain
- A sealant significantly reduces deep grooves
- Applying a sealant is a painless procedure
- Sealants are long-lasting
How are dental sealants applied?
The process of applying sealants is easy, quick, and painless. The following steps are involved:
Tooth isolation
This involves moisture control which is a crucial aspect of sealant application. Inadequate isolation leads to compromise in sealant retention. A rubber dam, cotton rolls, suction, and evacuation tips are used.
Acid etching
37% orthophosphoric acid is used in the form of a gel. The gel is applied and cured with a suitable curing light for 15 for permanent molars, and 15 to 30 seconds for primary/deciduous molars. The tooth surface is then rinsed with water and air-dried to achieve a frosty opaque appearance.
Sealant placement and curing
Sealant is applied using a dispenser and allowed to flow into the pits and fissures.
Final takeaway
Dental sealants are an extremely simple and affordable preventive care procedure that you should invest in so that you can protect your teeth. While anyone can benefit from sealants, it is most beneficial to young children.
