The dental sealants in Pearland, TX, are barriers placed on your back molars which create a layer between your teeth and bacteria or plaque, thereby protecting your teeth. The sealants are usually applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth i.e. molars and pre-molars. These are the places where decay occurs quite often.
How Can Sealants Help in Preventing Decay?
A sealant is a plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth. The plastic coating bonds well into the depressions, pits and fissures of the back teeth. The sealants act as a barrier and protect the teeth enamel from plaque and acid. Our toothbrush can help in cleaning and removing plaque from the smooth surface of the teeth, but the bristles can’t remove plaque from the groves where the decay usually occurs quite often.
Can Sealant Application Be a Complex Procedure?
The application of sealants is one of the easiest procedures as compared to other dental treatments. It is a preventive treatment that can be completed in less than an hour. There is no pain and discomfort and you can easily eat and drink after an hour or two. No special precautions need to be taken for recovery.
The dentist near you will first clean your teeth followed by roughening the surface with the help of an acid solution. The acid solution will help the sealant in bonding well with the tooth. The sealants are then applied onto the tooth enamel directly and allowed to harden. The dentist may also use a special curing light for hardening the enamel. Till the time the sealants are in place, the teeth will be protected.
The sealants can sustain the pressure from chewing and last for many years. You may need reapplication after several years and the dentist will check the condition of the sealants during a regular examination.
Benefits of Sealants
- Pain-Free
One of the major benefits of dental sealants is that the process of application is pain-free. Many dental procedures are painful and cause discomfort but getting sealants is by far the most convenient dental procedure. There is no need for sedation or numbing the site of the procedure. And you are done within a few minutes.
- Easy Repair and Maintenance
You don’t need to follow precautions when it comes to dental sealants. They are quite easy to maintain. All you need is simple brushing and flossing and they are good to go. During your regular appointments, the dentist will examine the condition of the sealants. Usually, re-application is required after 3-4 years.
- Saving Money
The dental sealants are a preventive measure for protecting your teeth from decay. If you don’t follow the preventive measures, the cost of repairing and treating the decayed teeth can be far more as compared to the cost of getting the sealants applied.
- Helps in Saving Time
People who get cavities filled or get a root canal procedure done can vouch for the fact that one needs multiple visits and follow-up checkups after getting the dental procedure done. Sealants reduce your chances of getting cavities, so there is no need to visit the dental clinic time and again.
- Promote Good Oral health
Tooth decay can soon become the cause of several other dental issues. Even when you get the cavities filled, the health and strength of the tooth get compromised. No treatment can bring back your original healthy tooth back. Thus, it is important to prevent decay and enjoy a good oral health.
Are Sealants Only for Kids?
There is a popular misconception that sealants are only for kids. However, the fact is that anyone can benefit from the sealants whether kids or adults. The chances of developing cavity are higher during early life, so kids and teenagers are the right candidates for sealants. But adults who are at the risk of cavity and decay can get the sealants applied.
The sealants are a support to oral care and you mustn’t solely rely on them for protecting your teeth. The sealants are an additional measure, which should be accompanied by regular brushing and flossing along with good eating habits. Relying alone on sealants won’t help!