Imagine a barrier applied to teeth that can
effectively prevent tooth decay! That's the miracle-working power of dental
sealants, a thin plastic film (usually either white, pink, orange, or yellow)
applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth and other teeth with deep grooves.
They act as a dental fortress, sealing out small food particles and
cavity-causing bacteria.
Sealants Are Highly Effective
Scientific studies have proven that sealants are greater than 90%
effective in protecting teeth from decay. As long as the
sealant remains intact, cavity-causing food particles and bacteria
cannot penetrate.
Durability
Sealants provide protection for three to five years.
They serve as an excellent safeguard against cavities, especially
critical for children in protecting their teeth during cavity-prone
years. Adults also can benefit from sealant protection, particularly
those susceptible to decay. Regular dental check-ups are important
for monitoring the durability of the sealants' bond.
Recommended for Children
Protecting children's permanent teeth from cavities is a dental
health priority. Sealants are designed to protect the chewing
surfaces of teeth since they're the most susceptible to the
formation of cavities. Fluoride products and treatments don't
provide the same type of cavity protection as do sealants.
Sealants are superior in penetrating the grooved surfaces of teeth.
Without the protection of sealants, 95% of people eventually get
cavities in the grooved surfaces of their teeth. It makes sense to
beat the odds and protect them from becoming a statistic.
How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
Sealant treatment is painless and quick, taking just a few minutes
for each tooth. The first step is cleaning and rinsing the surface
of the tooth. A cleansing gel is applied to the tooth, and 15 seconds
later, rinsed away with water. The sealant is then applied and
allowed to harden, often times by using a special blue curing light.
In less than an hour, teeth receive years of protection against
cavities. Sealants have been approved by the American Dental
Association Council on Dental Therapeutics since 1972, offering
patients safe, effective, and painless protection against cavities.
The latest generation of sealants actually can release fluoride if
needed, to add double protection to the teeth.
