Dr. Mariano A. Polack is a Dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Sealants.
Q. What are dental sealants?
A. The pits and grooves of the back teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. More than 90% of decay starts here. Even regular brushing sometimes will miss these structures on the chewing surfaces of posterior teeth.Sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep crevices on the tops of the teeth. Dental sealants are one of the leading causes for the reduction of decay in the population.
Q. How do dental sealants work?
A. As stated above, sealants will literally block the grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and prevent bacteria from creating decay in those areas.
Q. Which teeth are suitable for sealants?
A. Routinely , first and second molars (i.e., the "six and twelve-year-old molars") are the primary target for sealants. However, other teeth in the posterior regions of the mouth can be sealed too if needed to prevent decay. At the office we do sealants on children and adults, since they will both equally benefit from them.
Q. How are sealants applied?
A. Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The procedure is followed by "etching" the tooth with a special gel, which allows the sealant to better adhere. After that, the sealant is painted on the tooh, and a light source is directed to the site to get immediate drying.
Q. Are sealants visible?
A. There are different types, most commonly, clear or white. Both are virtually undetectable.
Q. Will sealants make teeth feel different?
A. No, there is no change in the way the teeth feel.
Q. How long will sealants last?
A. With proper care, sealants can last many years and sometimes, decades (for example, I have sealants in my own mouth, that were done more than twenty five years ago). Sealants can be 100% effective in reducing tooth decay as long as they are present. On occasions, sealants need to be repaired and restored, but only 2-4% of all sealants need some form of repair over the lifetime of the tooth. This repair usually occurs during the first year.
Q. How to contact Dr. Polack if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
7431New Linton Hall Road
Gainesville, VA 20155
Phone: (703) 753-8753
Email: mpolack@me.com
Website: www.dentaldesigngainesville.com
