Everything you need to know about dental sealants?
Posted on 7/10/2023 by SRD Muscle Shoals
Dental sealants are a coating of thin plastic applied on the crown region of teeth. They mimic tooth fillings only. They are preventive and proactive dental measures against dental carries or infections caused by cavities from acids or plaque.
Types of dental sealants
Filled sealants Comprise of resins, fillers, and chemicals. Fillers are necessary for increasing the sealant's bonding strength and help reduce abrasion and wearing off. Due to the wear resistance and hardness, they must be checked and adjusted after placement using a dental handpiece.
Unfilled sealants are resins and fillers but contain more resin than filler. Their low viscosity allows for easy flow into teeth pits and fissures and does not need to be adjusted using a handpiece. They are self-occluding.
Who needs to have dental sealants and when to use them?
Dental sealants should be applied in early childhood once the molars and premolars are fully grown. The sooner the surface of teeth is protected, the lower the risk of developing caries and other dental infections. However, they can also be applied in adulthood. Dental sealants have the same effect on tooth surfaces as fluoride. They are meant to protect the graved regions of the back or chewing teeth.
How are sealants applied?
The procedure is pain-free and never requires drilling or anesthesia medications. The tooth is first prepared through cleaning and polishing thoroughly to remove plaque and food remains in the pits and fissures of the tooth.
The teeth to be applied sealants are then isolated and dried. The surface of the teeth must be chiseled, rinsed, and dried before the sealant is applied. Application of the sealant using a brush is the next step. The sealant must be applied evenly, and a self-curing light is used to strengthen the bonding of the sealant to the tooth's surface. The dentist then evaluates the dental sealant. Good oral hygiene is advised to ensure the sealants last to their estimated time, up to a decade. Teeth without dental sealants are prone to decay, resulting in cavities that result in complicated dental conditions requiring complicated treatments.
About Us - Muscle Shoals, AL • Singing River Dentistry At Singing River Dentistry, our goal is to help our patients achieve beautiful smiles. Schedule your appointment today! Singing River Dentistry, 2402 Avalon Ave, Suite A, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 | 256-712-3186 | muscleshoals.singingriverdentistry.com | 11/15/2024 | Related Terms: dentist Muscle Shoals AL |
Dental sealants are a coating of thin plastic applied on the crown region of teeth. They mimic tooth fillings only. They are preventive and proactive dental measures against dental carries or infections caused by cavities from acids or plaque.