Dr. Cheng-Hsin Chang and Dr. Joseph Mullin are Dentists who have answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Sealants.
Q. What are dental sealants?
A. Dental sealants or tooth sealants refer to the plastic, which is bonded into the grooves of the chewing surface of a tooth, to help prevent cavities. It is a preventive measure by protecting teeth from the need for future fillings.
Q. How do dental sealants work?
A. Because tooth decay is caused by plaque, a white film of bacteria, which forms on the surface of the tooth, brushing is vital in preventing decay. However, some teeth, such as the posterior teeth, are harder to brush because of the deep grooves in the chewing surfaces. Dentists can provide one solution by bonding this dental sealant into the grooves, thus making the surface smoother and less likely to develop a cavity in these grooves. Often deep grooves also imply thinner enamel at the base of the grooves, which would make it more likely for decay to develop.
Q. Which teeth are suitable for sealants?
A. Typically dental sealants are placed on posterior permanent teeth such as the 6 year and 12 year molars, meaning those molars, which erupt around ages 6 and 12. In the event a child is cavity prone (history of several cavities in the baby teeth), sealants can be placed in the deep grooves of baby teeth.
Q. How are sealants applied?
A. Application of sealants does not require any anesthesia. The steps involved are simple and include: cleaning the surface, applying the sealant, and using a light to harden the sealant.
Q. Are sealants visible?
A. Sealants are tooth colored, so almost invisible to the naked eye.
Q. Will sealants make teeth feel different?
A. After a sealant is placed, the tooth will feel slightly different. It will feel smoother on the chewing surface, and will function the same as before in terms of chewing.
Q. How long will sealants last?
A. Sealants last at least two years, and often several years, long enough to get the child through their teen years when they are most prone to cavities. If needed, sealants can be reapplied. There is no doubt that sealants provide excellent protection against cavities, and as explained above, the procedure is simple. I believe in them so much that as an adult, I had them placed on those teeth with grooves in my mouth. These same, original sealants have now been in for over 20 years!
Q. How to contact Dr. Chang and Dr. Mullin if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
130 Petticoat Ln
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
USA
Phone: (925)934-3395
Email: Doctors@mydentistwalnutcreek.com
Website: http://mydentistwalnutcreek.com/
