Dental Sealants in Greenwood
Dental sealants are a thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent tooth decay. The liquid sealant fills in and attaches to the grooves and depressions of the premolars and molars in the back of your mouth to act as a protective barrier for each tooth.
What are the benefits of sealants?
Sealants act as an umbrella for your tooth, reducing the risk of decay by up to 80%. They protect the enamel by keeping food particles and bacteria out of nooks and crannies where it can be difficult for tooth brushing to be effective, especially for young children. Sealants can last for a decade, thus providing long-lasting protection against cavities and decay.
Should I get sealants?
Our dentists are happy to examine your, and your family member’s, mouth and discuss the goals for your dental health. Each mouth is different and therefore a unique dental treatment plan is designed for each of our patients. That being said, for children (and adults) who are prone to decay, we recommend sealants as soon as their molars come in (around age 6 and age 12). If those teeth are sealed as soon as they come in, they will be cavity-free from the very beginning.
What is the sealant process like?
Getting sealants is quick and painless. After we clean and dry the tooth, we’ll paint it with a gel-like material. That gel makes the surface of the tooth rough so the bond between the tooth and the sealant is strong. Once the gel is rinsed off and the sealant is applied, the liquid will harden with the help of a blue light.
Your sealants will be checked at your bi-annual examination appointments to ensure they are structurally intact. If they require a repair, our dentist can easily complete that procedure.
