sealants and dental health

What is dental sealant? – It is a thin, plastic covering painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth that act as a barrier against the decay-causing bacteria to prevent tooth decay, especially back teeth (molars and premolars). Find the nearest diagnostic centers in Bangalore with Cureplus. 

How is sealant works?

The sealant quickly attaches into the grooves and depressions of the teeth, forming a protective coating over the enamel.

Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque as well as food particles from the smooth surfaces of teeth, but they fail to get into every nook and cranny of the chewing teeth to remove plaque and food particle. Dental sealants protect these back teeth from decay by “sealing out” food and plaque.

Is application of sealant a complicated procedure?

Application of sealant is a simple and painless process. Your dentist needs only a few minutes to apply sealant to seal each back tooth.

Here are the steps for sealant application:

1.      The first step includes a thorough cleaning of the teeth that are to be sealed.

2.      Next, cotton or any other absorbent material is put around each tooth to it dry.

3.      To roughen the surfaces of the chewing teeth, an acidic solution is applied. This will help the sealant to bond to the teeth.

4.      The teeth as the rinsed and dried.

5.      Then a sealant coating is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the surface of the tooth and hardens.

Validity period of sealants

The validity period of your sealants may vary from person to person. According to the majority, a period 3 to 5 years is considered successful.

Who need sealants?

Children and teenagers tend to develop decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars more easily, so they are the most appropriate candidates for sealants. But adults with no decay or fillings in their back teeth can also avail benefit from sealants.