Sealants are a protective coating made of plastic that helps prevent tooth decay in the molars and pre-molars. The chewing surfaces of these teeth are ridged and grooved and food can often get stuck in them. Brushing teeth does not always remove the food stuck in these teeth and this can lead to bacterial growth and tooth decay.
How do sealants work?
Once a molar or pre-molar has erupted from the gum and its chewing surface is fully exposed, the furrows in the tooth can be filled with sealant. The sealant prevents food particles from getting trapped in the tooth and also protects the tooth from tooth decay.
What is the procedure
for getting dental sealants?
While dental sealants are usually recommended for children, adults too can have sealants fitted into their teeth. At Devon Neighbourhood Dental, we will first give you a full oral examination before carrying out any procedures. If you have no cavities or other dental and periodontal problems, we can proceed with putting in a dental sealant.
During the procedure, your tooth is first thoroughly cleaned and dried. Next, a mildly acidic solution is applied to the tooth to roughen the chewing surface a bit. The roughened surface holds on to the sealant better.
After the acidic solution is rinsed off, the tooth is dried completely. The sealant in liquid form is then placed into all the grooves of the tooth to seal them. The sealant is then hardened with a special blue light. Sealants have been known to be highly effective in preventing tooth decay. Once you have a sealant in place, you can eat and chew your food normally.
Devon Neighbourhood Dental
Devon Neighbourhood Dental is run by Dr. Laheeb Quddusi and his team. The office is situated right in the heart of town and has recently been renovated. We do dental sealants and a number of other dental procedures. Contact us to book an appointment for all your dental needs.
