Dental Sealants
Lakewood, CO
Dental Sealants provided by Our Dentists
in Lakewood, CO at Northstar Dental
 When it comes to oral health, preventive dentistry is a key component. While tooth restoration options like dentures, dental implants, crowns, and bridges address tooth loss, Northstar Dental offers a proactive solution: dental sealants.
Dental sealants are a remarkable tooth decay prevention, effectively shielding teeth against the development of cavities and decay. This transparent, thin coating, applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars, provides an extra layer of defense against harmful bacteria and acids. These sealants act as barriers, safeguarding teeth against cavities and promoting oral health. Dental sealants offer a simple yet effective way to protect teeth from decay, particularly in hard-to-reach areas prone to trapping bacteria and food particles.
Who Benefits from Dental Sealants?
Sealant application is not just for children's dentistry. Children, adolescents, and individuals with deep tooth grooves are prime candidates for pit and fissure sealants. Their susceptibility to tooth decay, coupled with challenges in maintaining dental hygiene, makes dental sealants invaluable in preventing cavities. Even those with dental restorations can benefit, as sealants protect the natural tooth structure surrounding these restorations, ensuring comprehensive oral health care.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Dental Sealants?
The thin plastic coatings that make up dental sealants are applied to molars and premolars. These teeth, in particular, are prone to cavities due to their uneven surfaces and deep grooves. These coatings act as protective shields, covering vulnerable areas and preventing the buildup of food particles that can accumulate in these teeth and cause bacteria which then leads to decay.
Dental sealants offer a multitude of advantages, making them a preferred preventive measure in oral health maintenance. By forming protective barriers against decay-causing agents, sealants significantly reduce the risk of cavities, particularly in younger individuals with developing teeth. The non-invasive application process, coupled with painless procedures, ensures comfort for patients of all ages. In addition, sealants save time and money by preventing the need for extensive dental treatments in the future.
Additional benefits of sealant effectiveness includes:
| • |
Long-lasting Protection: Sealants can last for several years, providing cost-effective prevention.
|
| • |
Quick and painless procedure: There is no need for anesthetic or recovery time
|
| • |
Sealants block bacteria and food particles, preventing cavity formation.
|
| • |
Dental sealants are suitable for all ages.
|
| • |
Compared to cavity treatment costs, sealants are a low-cost preventive measure.
|
| • |
Sealants are non-invasive and preserve natural tooth structure. |
What is the Dental Sealant Procedure?
The application of dental sealants is a simple and painless process performed by dental professionals. Either one of our dental hygienists or the dentist will apply the dental sealants. After thorough cleaning and drying of the teeth to remove any plaque and debris, a mild acidic solution will be applied to the teeth to roughen the chewing surfaces, enhancing and aiding in sealant adhesion. The solution is rinsed off, and teeth are dried to ensure a clean and dry surface. The liquid resin sealant material is then carefully applied onto the grooves and fissures of the molars and premolars, and hardened using a special curing light. The sealants are checked to ensure proper bonding and desired protection on the teeth. Any excess material is then trimmed, and the sealed teeth may be polished for a smooth finish. This quick procedure can be completed in a single dental visit.
Long-Term Care of Dental Sealants
Regular dental check-ups are crucial for monitoring the condition of your dental sealants and ensuring their efficacy in cavity protection. Patients should also maintain good dental hygiene habits at home, including brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, and using antimicrobial mouthwash. This will not only keep your teeth clean, and help prevent the build up of any bacteria and plaque, but also ensure sealant longevity. Avoiding hard objects and wearing mouth guards during sports activities further prolongs the lifespan of your dental sealants. While durable, dental sealants may require replacement due to wear and tear, emphasizing the importance of regular dental visits with us every six months, and adherence to oral care recommendations.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Dental sealants offer crucial early intervention, especially for children whose teeth are developing and are still learning how to maintain their own proper oral hygiene. Dental sealants greatly reduce cavity risk during these formative years. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children without sealants are three times more likely to develop cavities.
Dental sealants are known to reduce cavity risk by up to 80% in the first two years after application - regardless of the age of the patient, so they are an effective cavity prevention tool for patients of all ages.
Addressing Myths and Misconceptions About Dental Sealants
Despite the benefits of dental sealants and their easy application and successful protection from cavities, there are still myths that surround the use of dental sealants.
Some of these include:
| • |
Myth: Dental sealants are only for children. Dental sealants benefit individuals of all ages.
|
| • |
Myth: Dental sealants are visible and affect aesthetics. Dental sealants are transparent and discreet. No one will even know that you have then.
|
| • |
Myth: Dental sealants are painful when they are applied to the teeth. The application of dental sealants is painless and quick. They are brushed on an do not cause any pain or discomfort.
|
| • |
Myth: Dental sealants are a substitute for oral hygiene. Dental sealants complement oral hygiene practices. It is still very important to brush and floss your teeth regularly.
|
| • |
Myth: Dental sealants are not durable. Dental sealants are in fact durable and long-lasting. |
Take Charge Of Your Oral Health with Dental Sealants
Invest in your oral health with dental sealants. Schedule a consultation with Northstar Dental with one of our dentists and explore this preventive measure and ensure a cavity-free smile. Call us at (303) 481-3901 to book your appointment today. We look forward to helping you safeguard your smile and promote long-term dental wellness. |
