It’s not always easy to clean every single corner of your teeth – specifically those molars and premolars, even with brushing and flossing. Molars are rough, unequal and a favorite spot for remaining food particles and cavity-producing bacteria to conceal themselves.
Yet, there’s another safety stuff to help to maintain those teeth clean. It’s termed as a Sealant! You can consider them as raincoats for your teeth. This is a thin, protective layer (created from plastic or other dental materials) that attaches to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They can keep cavities from building up and may even prevent early phases of decay from turning into a full-blown cavity.
Who Can Get Sealants?
Sealants are beneficial to children and adults, but the earlier you receive them, the better. Normally, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars immediately when these teeth come in. In this method, the sealants can shield the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14 and also help save time and money in the long run. Ask your dentist at Town Center Dental, if sealants are a good option for you and your family.
In a few cases, dental sealants may also be apt for baby teeth, usually when a child’s baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves. Since baby teeth play a crucial part in anchoring the appropriate spacing for permanent teeth, it’s vital to keep these teeth healthy and strong so they are not lost too early.
How Are Sealants Applied?
It’s a fast and pain-free procedure. Your dentist will carefully clean and dry your tooth and some cotton or other absorbent material is applied around the tooth to keep it dry. An acidic gel is then applied on your teeth. This gel roughens your tooth surface so a tough binding will develop between your tooth and the sealant. After a few moments, your dentist will wash off the gel and dry your tooth once again before putting the sealant onto the fissures of your tooth. Your dentist will then with the help of a special blue light harden the sealant. Once the sealant has hardened it turns to be a hard plastic varnish coating, and you can chew normally again.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Dental sealants have been utilized and have been verified to be productive since the 1970s. Sealants will usually stay for many years before they require to be reapplied. During your regular visit to the dentist, he/she will examine the condition of the sealant and can reapply them as required. Along with that usage of fluoride toothpaste or mouthwashes helps safeguard all the surfaces of the tooth from decay and cavities.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Sealants?
Several insurance companies cover the expense of sealants but typically only for patients less than 18 years of age. Check with your dental insurance service provider to verify if sealants are covered under your plan.
