Dental Sealants
Austin, TX
Dental sealant is a plastic film that is applied to your teeth’s chewing surfaces, typically the teeth at the back. The main purpose of dental sealants is to prevent tooth decay.
The sealant makes its way into the grooves and depressions of the teeth. This forms a protective covering over the tooth enamel.
How Are Sealants Applied?
Applying dental sealants is a fast and painless procedure. At South Austin Dental, our dentists will first thoroughly clean and dry your tooth. Next, they will apply an acidic gel on your teeth.
The gel roughens the tooth surface to link the tooth and sealant firmly. Our dentist will rinse off the gel after a few minutes. They will dry your tooth for the second time before placing the sealant into the grooves of your tooth. A special blue light is used to solidify the dental sealant.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Children and teenagers are more likely to develop decay in the grooves and depressions of their back teeth - the premolars and molars. Nevertheless, you can benefit from sealants even if you are an adult without fillings or decay in your molars.
It is best for children to get dental sealants on their premolars and molars as soon as those teeth erupt. This is effective for shielding the teeth while children are between six and 14 years of age, which is when teeth are most vulnerable to cavities.
At times, dental sealants may even be suitable for baby teeth. This is when grooves and depressions are present on the surface of a child’s teeth. As baby teeth play a vital role in maintaining the right spacing for permanent teeth, it is important to ensure that they stay healthy.
How Long Does a Dental Sealant Last?
Dental sealants have been used effectively since the 1970’s. According to research, they are useful for preventing tooth decay affecting the surface of the teeth. Sealants can stay on for several years. It is also possible to apply a new sealant on a tooth if need be.
Can Sealants Be Applied Over Cavities?
Dental sealants are used to cover tooth surfaces where early decay is detected. This is done to avoid further damage to your teeth. Our dentists ensure they check your teeth routinely to ensure that the sealants are functioning properly.
Benefits Of Dental Sealants
Sealants are used to cover small fissures or grooves in your premolars or molars. This keeps bacteria from preventing decay. There are many advantages of using dental sealants:
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Are clear and white
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Take only a few minutes for our dentists to apply
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Fill grooves and pits in the teeth to prevent decay
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Are painless
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Cannot dissolve in saliva
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Do not involve any injections or drilling
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Are safe |
Sealants are applied to your tooth surface by professional dentists at our practice. They typically last two to seven years or more. If you want to strengthen your teeth to prevent decay, schedule an dental exam with us at South Austin Dental by calling (512) 441-8922 today. We offer a variety of preventive treatments like fluoride treatments, periodontal care, and oral cancer screenings.
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