Sealants
At Classic Smiles Dentistry, your total satisfaction is our goal and we are committed to doing what’s best for you! We hear questions about sealants from patients every day. We’ve assembled answers that should help you gain a better understanding of dental sealants and why you should consider them.
Sealants
A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface.
Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.
Reasons for sealants
- Children and teenagers – As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or anytime throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16.
- Adults – Tooth surfaces without decay that has deep grooves or depressions.
- Baby teeth – Occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and child is cavity prone.
What do sealants involve?
Our dentist or dental hygienist, at Classic Smiles Dentistry, can easily apply dental sealants on your tooth/teeth. The process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth. The teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and then surrounded with cotton to keep the area dry. A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried. Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.
If you live in Austell, Georgia, call Classic Smiles Dentistry, at (770) 319-8110 and ask us about sealants!
