Highly effective in preventing cavities, dental sealants are thin coatings that can be painted or brushed onto the chewing surface of your molars as a preventive measure.
Even with regular brushing and flossing, cavities can still form due to fine grooves or pits on your back teeth, or molars. Acting as a protective shield, dental sealants work to prevent plaque and food particles from building up inside those very grooves.
Sealants are more commonly applied to children’s teeth, but adults can receive the treatment as well if your tooth structure makes you more susceptible to .
If you are interested in the application of dental sealants for you or your children, please ask our dentist, Dr. Paul vanLonkhuyzen, or dental hygienists during your next visit.
What are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?
There are several advantages to having dental sealants applied to your teeth. As previously mentioned, sealants work like a barrier effectively shielding your molars from plaque buildup.
Other benefits of dental sealants include:
- Less expensive than dental fillings.
- Easy, pain-free application.
- Long-lasting effectiveness for up to 10 years with proper oral hygiene.
- Simple to repair or maintain.
What to Expect During Sealant Application
Fortunately, the application of dental sealants is fast, easy, and painless. It’s such a quick procedure that you’ll be all set after just one visit to our Portage office.
Before the sealants can be applied, your molar(s) will need to be prepared by our dentist. To do this, the tooth will be cleaned and dried before an acid solution is used to roughen the chewing surface. This is what allows the sealant to form a strong connection to your tooth.
The sealant can then be brushed onto the tooth so it can bond and harden properly. Once the sealant has been fully applied, the process is complete and our dentist will wrap up your appointment.
Call Courtside Dental!
Having dental sealants applied is beneficial no matter your age. If a patient’s teeth are particularly prone to decay, our , will recommend sealant application during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Contact us online to schedule your next dental appointment or call Courtside Dental at 269.327.1011.