Dental Sealants: A Complete Guide
Dental sealants from a dentist in Ashburn, VA, are an easy way to help to prevent cavities. Here's everything you need to know about this dental care option.
Did you know that dental sealants have been around since the 1960s? Dentists use this safe and effective preventative treatment for patients of all ages. Sealants are especially helpful for children who are prone to getting cavities.
So what are dental sealants? This dentist in Ashburn, VA, has all the answers about who is a candidate, cost factors, and more.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants contain plastic, ceramic, or a mix of the two materials. Dentists coat the grooves and recesses of molars with sealants.
Most dentists work with sealants that have biocompatible materials. These materials are safe for children and do not leak materials into saliva.
Sealants are a form of preventative dentistry. At Simply Smiles, we recommend preventative treatments as a means of protecting your oral health by preventing cavities and other dental problems. In addition to sealants, our office also offers night guards that prevent teeth from grinding at night.
Am I a Candidate for Sealants?
Anyone is a great candidate for dental sealants. We recommend sealants for children and teens. Children are especially prone to cavities, particularly if they consume sugary foods and drinks and don't brush regularly.
Anyone with a history of cavities can be a candidate for sealants. Genetics, wear, age, and other factors can leave people with varying levels of enamel. Based on your family history and number of past cavities, you may benefit from this affordable and safe preventive treatment.
Tobacco use, poor oral hygiene habits, and acid reflux disorders are also risk factors for cavities. If you have questions about getting sealants, Dr. Sabharwal or a member of our team will be glad to discuss your candidacy for this treatment option. Remember, anyone can benefit from cavity prevention.
Are Sealants Affordable?
Dental sealants are affordable. In fact, many dental insurance plans cover part or all of these preventative treatments. The procedure is covered because sealants are known to prevent costly restorative treatments.
A member of
our team will be glad to give you an estimate of the cost of placing sealants. If you have questions about cost factors related to any of our treatments, don't hesitate to ask. We are here to help.
How Are Sealants Placed?
Dental sealants are one of many dental services that are performed at our office. First, Dr. Sabharwal will clean the surface of your molars. This ensures that the sealants maintain a strong bond with the surface of your teeth.
Then, Dr. Sabharwal applies the sealants, which come in liquid form. Once the liquid has coated the surface of your teeth, he will use a special blue light to harden the liquid.
Placing dental sealants is quick, easy, and completely painless.
What Are Some Other Ways to Prevent Cavities?
Sealants will not always prevent cavities. The treatment should be used in conjunction with other measures like regular brushing, flossing, visits to the dentist, and a diet that minimizes excess sugar.
Having sealants placed does not mean that you or your child do not have to brush regularly. When used in conjunction with other proven methods of preventing cavities, sealants can be highly effective.
How Effective Are Sealants at Preventing Cavities?
Dental cavities are incredibly effective at preventing cavities. The CDC notes that sealants prevent around 80% of cavities in children. Even after a few years, sealants can prevent half of cavities.
Because sealants place a physical barrier between the outside environment and enamel, there is literally no means for decay to form. Sealants are placed in the crevices of molars because those areas are where the majority of cavities form. The deep grooves on the tops of molars are more likely to form tartar which provides a home for bacteria that cause tooth decay.
What to Expect After Your Sealants Are Placed
Once your sealants are placed, Dr. Sabharwal will check to ensure that your sealants do not interfere with your bite. Any minor adjustments can be made at that point. Once your dentist is sure that the sealants are placed in the right spot, your treatment will be complete.
Dental sealants usually last several years or up to a decade on average. Diet, eating habits, and other factors can affect how long sealants last. During your checkups, your dentists will examine your sealants to ensure that they are still coating the areas they need to.
At some point, your dentist will need to remove or replace your sealants. Your dentist will do this using the same procedure that placed your sealants the first time.
Can I Eat Normally with Sealants?
One of the benefits of dental sealants is that the coatings do not interfere with chewing and biting. Once the material has hardened, it is incredibly resilient.
There is no need for you to change your diet and eating habits. If you grind your teeth at night or regularly chew on very hard foods, it is possible that you can wear your sealants down prematurely.
Schedule Your Appointment with Your Dentist in Ashburn, VA, Today!
Dental sealants are a safe and effective preventative treatment. We recommend that children between the ages of 6 and 14 have sealants placed. We place sealants on adults as well.
Are you looking for one location that can handle family dentistry and more? At Simply Smiles, our esteemed dentist provides comprehensive dental care plus full mouth restoration using dental implants.
No matter what your dental needs are, we're here to help. Contact our dentist in Ashburn, VA, online today to schedule your next consultation.
