DENTAL SEALANTS

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are very thin coatings that are applied to the surfaces of your teeth, including the premolars and molars to create a protective barrier that bacteria cannot penetrate. Sealants seal teeth against decay. This protection can be especially beneficial for children.

How do we apply Dental Sealants?

To begin, Heidi Sprowls DDS will clean and dry teeth that will be sealed. Then, a special etching liquid is applied to rough up the surface of the tooth to make a stronger bond. The dentist will paint the sealant directly onto the tooth’s surface before hardening the liquid with a special blue light.

The process is fast and easy, and it can be completed in a single appointment. Sealants are as hard as they will be once you leave the office. They can last for years, but we’ll check them at each of your dental visits to ensure they continue to protect your teeth.

Who can benefit from Dental Sealants?

Sealants are often applied to children’s permanent teeth. The first molars begin to appear by 6, and most kids will have their second molars by 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they erupt can keep them strong and cavity-free. Adults can also benefit from dental sealants, unless you have restorations on your molars.

Although sealants are typically placed on unrestored teeth, they can occasionally be applied over small areas of decay. This can help prevent further damage.