A sealant is a transparent plastic varnish that covers the chewing surfaces of the back-row teeth: molars and premolars. They have grooves (pits and fissures) that make them harder to clean and more prone to cavities. Dental sealants protect the grooves by providing a smoother surface that makes plaque and food debris slide off the teeth more easily.
The process lasts only a few minutes. The dentist will clean the child’s teeth before applying a conditioning solution over the chewing area. This liquid etches the surface to allow the sealant to adhere to the tooth. The dentist will clean the liquid and paint the sealant over the teeth. Afterward, they will harden it over the tooth using a curing light. After the sealant hardens, it becomes a hard plastic coating, and the patient can chew with their teeth again.
The procedure is not painful. For children who have dental anxiety, the dentist will try to make them as comfortable as possible. Placing dental sealants is non-invasive and requires no recovery period.
Sealants are not meant to be a permanent solution, so patients still need to come to the dental office for a routine checkup. The dentist will be able to check if the sealants are intact or compromised. With adequate care, sealants can survive up to nine years or more. If necessary, broken sealants can be restored.
As soon as the child’s premolars and molars start to come in, parents need to visit the dentist about getting sealants. The earlier the sealants are applied, the earlier they can shield the back teeth from getting tooth decay. The first application of sealants happens when the child is around six, when the first molars develop. After the second set of molars erupt (often around age 12 or 13), then the child can come in for sealants.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Greenacres, FL.
Although it is rare, adults who are prone to cavities can also get dental sealants on teeth that have not been filled or previously covered in sealants.
Yes. Dental sealants are only effective for the surface of the teeth they cover. Fluoride helps protect other areas of the teeth by remineralizing the enamel and fortifying it against cavities.
If you are interested in providing dental sealants for your child to protect their oral health, book a consultation appointment with the dentist. They will be happy to answer any questions you have about the process.
Request an appointment or call Lake Worth Dentistry at (561) 816-2738 for an appointment in our Greenacres office.
In many situations, dentists successfully utilize dental sealants to protect a patient's teeth from harmful decay. This simple preventative treatment is typically recommended for younger children but can also be helpful for adults as well. In fact, some dental professionals suggest sealants for adults with healthy teeth approaching middle and advanced age. While a wide…
If you've been paying for dental insurance all year, now is the time to ensure you get the most out of it. Most dental plans work on a "use it or lose it" policy wherein benefits not used during the year don't carry over into the next. This is the ideal time to make an…
Dental implants appear to be a simple tooth replacement, but their impact resonates far beyond smiles. Patients will delay treatment, not wanting to undergo surgery, but ignore the underlying health consequences. Missing teeth weaken chewing and jaw strength, and even affect systemic disease. Implants are not on-the-surface solutions. They influence nutrition, self-confidence, and long-term health results.…
If you've been paying for dental insurance all year, now is the time to ensure…
Dental implants appear to be a simple tooth replacement, but their impact resonates far beyond…
Acid reflux doesn't stop with heartburn. Stomach acid can rise all the way to your…
Food is supposed to be fun. But if you're surviving on soups, mashed potatoes, and…
We’ve all been there—catching a glimpse of our reflection or a photo and realizing…
You're sitting in the waiting area. Your child's name is called. Instantly, they grab your…
