Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Dennis J. Stiles on Dental Sealants
Dr. Dennis J. Stiles is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Sealants.
Q. What are dental sealants?
A. Dental sealant is a plastic material that is applied most commonly to the chewing surfaces of teeth. The material stays in place by bonding to the tooth surface.
Q. How do dental sealants work?
A. The plastic material fills in the grooves and valleys of the teeth where food and bacteria like to accumulate. In this way, the sealant acts like a barrier to prevent cavities from forming.
Q. Which teeth are suitable for sealants?
A. Sealants are most commonly placed on back teeth, including molars and premolars.
Q. How are sealants applied?
A. It only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth. First the tooth is cleaned, then the chewing surface is painted with an acidic solution to the help the sealant bond to the tooth. The solution is rinsed off, and then the sealant material is painted onto the surface, where it bonds and hardens in the grooves. Sometimes a special curing light is used for several seconds to help the sealant harden.
Q. Are sealants visible?
A. Sealants are tooth-colored, and often hard to detect without special lighting.
Q. Will sealants make teeth feel different?
A. Sealants will not make teeth feel different, except possibly a little smoother (though children rarely notice this).
Q. How long will sealants last?
A. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing, and with routine proper care and brushing, will last several years. During your regular preventative dental visit, the dentist will check the condition of your sealants and reapply when necessary.
Q. How to contact Dr. Stiles if we have further questions?
A. You can reach me by email, mstiles5@comcast.net, or phone 301-519-3363.
