Sealants in La Palma
What are Sealants?
Sealants are thin, clear protective coatings that are applied to the back teeth. They are meant to protect the teeth from decay, which would lead to the need for fillings, root canals and even full extractions. Sealants can last for up to three years before they can be replaced. While children are most often the best candidates for sealants, these protective coverings are beneficial for adults as well.
Why would Sealants be needed?
The reason you might need sealants is because you’re more vulnerable to tooth decay. The back teeth are often filled with deep fissures, pitting and grooves that make these areas nearly impossible to keep clean. Because of this, they’re often the most susceptible to decay, which causes the need for fillings and root canals. In order to cover these areas and fill in the grooves and pitting, sealants can easily be applied in our office.
Who is a candidate for Sealants?
Children who are prone to decay and who may not have the best brushing habits are often the best candidates for sealants. However, if you’re an adult who has deep grooves and fissures on your back teeth, you will more than likely benefit from having sealants applied. There is no age limit when it comes to who would benefit from this preventative measure. We can examine your teeth in our office to determine if you would find sealants to be helpful in maintaining your dental health.
What happens during the Sealant procedure?
The first step is to clean and dry the back teeth. We then brush a clear liquid varnish onto these areas. The liquid sealants are dried and cured with a bright light to prevent them from moving or being washed away. You still need to brush these areas regardless of whether or not sealants have been placed. Once the sealants have worn away, we can reapply them as needed. You can expect most of your sealants to last anywhere from one to about three years.
If you think you might benefit from dental sealants, call our office today so that we can get you in for an appointment at your earliest convenience.
