Sealants

At Oakwood Dental, we always recommend taking a proactive, preventive approach to dental care rather than a curative one. Whenever possible, it’s always in the patient’s best interest to take steps to protect the health of their teeth and gums, rather than only paying attention to the teeth when problems eventually arise. Preventive dentistry treatments, such as sealants, are well worth the investment.

Dr. Attila Nagy and Dr. Michelle Nagy, along with our team, focus on preventive dentistry to help protect long-term oral health. By using treatments like dental sealants, we can reduce the risk of tooth decay and support healthier smiles for patients of all ages.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a fairly simple yet highly effective preventive dental treatment. Dental sealants are made of a thin layer of composite resin or other dental materials that are simply brushed onto the surface of a patient’s molars.

These dental sealants act as a protective shield over the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, helping reduce the risk of cavities and dental caries. Sealant material is designed to bond to the tooth enamel and create a durable barrier.

How Do Dental Sealants Work?

Sealants work to protect the teeth from tooth decay in two ways:

1. First, they create a protective barrier between the surface of a patient’s tooth enamel and the plaque, bacteria, and acid in the mouth that can lead to tooth decay.
2. Second, sealants create a smooth surface on the tops of a patient’s molars. Without sealants, the chewing surfaces of molars are irregular and covered with cracks and crevices where food, plaque, and debris can easily get stuck. Smoothed over with a dental sealant, it is much easier to keep the chewing surfaces of the molars clean and free from cavity-causing bacteria.

Who Should Have Dental Sealants

We recommend dental sealants for all of our patients, children and adults alike, who have natural molars that can benefit from the protection that sealants provide. Sealants are especially helpful for children when their first permanent molars and second molars come in. These back teeth are more prone to tooth decay due to their deep grooves. However, adults with healthy teeth and no existing dental decay may also benefit from sealant application.

Benefits Of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants offer several advantages for patients looking to protect their oral health. These include:

• Improved Protection: Dental sealants create a physical barrier that helps block harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of tooth decay
• Reduced Risk Of Cavities: Sealants help protect the chewing surfaces of molars where cavities are most likely to form
• Easier Cleaning: A smooth surface makes it easier for toothbrush bristles to clean hard-to-reach areas
• Long-Lasting Results: With proper care, dental sealants can protect teeth for many years
• Support For Preventive Dentistry: Dental sealants play an important role in long-term oral health and preventive care

Organizations like the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry support dental sealants as an effective way to reduce the risk of dental caries.

The Dental Sealant Application Process

The dental sealant application process is quick and efficient. This process involves:

• Cleaning The Tooth: The tooth surface is cleaned to remove plaque and debris
• Preparing The Surface: A gentle acid etching solution, often phosphoric acid, is applied to help the sealant material bond
• Rinsing And Drying: Moisture control is used to keep the tooth surface clean and dry
• Applying The Sealant: The sealant material is carefully painted onto the tooth surfaces
• Curing The Material: A curing light or visible light is used to harden the sealant
• Final Check: The dentist ensures the bite feels natural and comfortable

This sealant application process is quick and efficient, making it easy to protect permanent teeth during a routine visit.

Types Of Dental Sealants

When it comes to dental sealants, there are a few different options to choose from. These include:

• Resin Sealants: These are the most common type and provide strong protection with proven results to reduce the risk of dental decay
• Glass Ionomers: Often used when moisture control is more difficult, especially for younger patients

Each type of dental sealant is selected based on individual dental needs and tooth structure.

What To Expect When Getting Dental Sealants

Getting a dental sealant is a quick, simple, painless, and non-invasive process that can be performed after your regular teeth cleaning and examination. Getting dental sealants does not require the use of any anesthetics, and one or multiple dental sealants can be applied at the same time.

First, the dentist cleans and dries the surface of the patient’s tooth. The composite resin is then “painted” onto the tooth’s surface with a small brush. Next, the resin is hardened and cured by applying a special light to the resin for just a moment. Finally, we ask the patient to bite down and tell us how it feels. We can then sand away and smooth the sealant until the bite feels natural and comfortable to the patient – and that’s it!

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

Dental sealants are durable and long-lasting. However, over time, they can become worn down or chipped and might need replacing or touching up.

With a normal amount of wear and tear, dental sealants last an average of about 10 years. If they are exposed to excessive wear and tear, they might not last quite as long. For example, grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, chewing ice, or chewing on hard objects are all activities that can damage dental sealants and result in them needing to be replaced sooner.