Sealants

Sealants are an effective way to protect hard-to-clean teeth from decay

More than 75% of tooth decay begins in the pits and fissures that naturally occur in teeth. These deep grooves on the chewing surface of molars and other teeth are hard to clean, making them vulnerable to bacteria development and, therefore, cavity-causing decay.

Fortunately, sealants are a common way to coat the surfaces of teeth with a thin, protective layer of plastic, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface and protecting the teeth from damage. Paired with proper oral hygiene, sealants can make healthy teeth a fact of life for Geneva, NY patients.

Sealants can benefit people of all ages

• Toddlers: If your young child is cavity-prone, or if deep grooves and depressions are prevalent on his or her teeth, sealants can be an answer.
• Children and teenagers: As soon as the first permanent back teeth, known as six-year molars, emerge, or at any point throughout the cavity-prone ages of 6-16, sealants can be a very important tool for promoting children’s oral health.
• Adults: Permanent teeth with deep grooves and depressions can benefit from the preventative health effects of sealants.

Sealants can be applied in a matter or minutes and last for years

Sealant application only takes a couple of minutes per tooth. Before sealant placement, Dr. Terri will thoroughly clean each tooth and dry them with cotton. A special adhesive solution is applied to the enamel of each tooth to promote a strong bond between the sealant and the tooth. Then your teeth will be rinsed and dried.

The sealant material will be carefully painted onto each tooth, covering the contours of each groove and depression. Depending on the sealant material, the coating will either dry immediately on its own or with the help of a special curing light.

Sealants are durable and can last for years. However, Dr. Terri will check them for wear and chipping at each regular dental appointment. The best way to promote a long lifespan for your sealants is proper oral hygiene, a healthy diet and regular checkups.