There’s a lot we can do to protect our teeth from cavities, but there are places we just can’t reach on our own. If never hurts to have a little help. That’s why at CITIDental High Street we offer dental sealants to create an impermeable barrier from plaque and bacteria on the chewing surfaces of your molars.
Why Would I Need Dental Sealants?
Although brushing and flossing vastly improve the health and cleanliness of your teeth, sometimes these measures aren’t enough. There are many tiny cracks and crevices in and between your teeth where it’s hard for a toothbrush bristle to reach–particularly on the chewing surfaces of your molars. The natural pits and fissures that cover those surfaces can be a perfect harbor for bacteria and plaque. Over time, trapped food and undisrupted tartar buildup in your molars can lead to cavities and tooth decay. This tendency is so strong that most decay to the back teeth begins on these surfaces. One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of decay is with dental sealants.
Dental sealants are a thin layer of resin applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to fill the natural grooves there and provide a smoother surface that is easier to clean effectively. Dental sealants significantly cut down on tooth decay in these high risk areas.
Sealants may be important part of your regimen along with regular dental checkups.
The Procedure
Applying dental sealants is a painless procedure that can be completed in one visit. The teeth to be treated will be cleaned and dried, then the surface roughed slightly so the sealant can more easily bond with the tooth. The liquid sealant is brushed onto the teeth, then hardened using a curing light. The result is a thin, almost invisible coating which creates a new, smoother surface for the tooth, making it easier to clean and preventing decay from gaining a foothold as long as the sealant remains bonded to the tooth.
Who Needs Dental Sealants
The protection dental sealants offer is especially important within the first few years after a child’s adult molars erupt, around the age of twelve. Most children at this age can’t adequately clean the pits and fissures of their molars, which leaves them especially susceptible to developing cavities. One of the most important steps in preventive dentistry is to apply dental sealants before that can happen. As soon as your child’s permanent molars erupt, you should schedule an appointment with our office to have them examined and sealed.
Adults can also benefit from sealants if the teeth are cavity-free. The extra protection provided by dental sealants can be a component of anyone’s preventive dentistry plan–particularly for those with especially deep fissures or other factors that might make everyday dental hygiene less effective. If you are interested in receiving dental sealants or would like to discuss them with your Downtown Boston dentist, please contact us at CITIDental High Street today to request an appointment.