Dental Sealants
San Carlos, CA
 Kids are susceptible to cavities and decay. Preventive care is important if their teeth are to stay healthy. Dental sealants are a procedure that prevents decay and is particularly common in pediatric dentistry. The procedure is performed on teenagers and children whose teeth are in the latter stages of tooth eruption. In some situations, sealants can be painted on baby teeth. Adults can also receive the treatment.
Visiting Frank Hsu, D.D.S. allows our dentist to inspect the teeth of your kids and place dental sealants. With our dental sealants in San Carlos, CA, we have helped many kids maintain healthy smiles for many years and the years to come.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Sealants, also known as fissure sealants, are thin coatings placed on the grooves of back teeth, such as on molars and premolars, to stave off decay. They are commonly made of a plastic resin material or glass ionomer. However, glass ionomers are not as durable as plastic resin.
How Can Sealants Help Your Child?
Sealants are used to decrease the risk of developing dental cavities. While the procedure does not make the surface of the enamel completely smooth, it significantly reduces the depth of the fissures, making it easier to clean the teeth. Consequently, this reduces the risk of tooth decay and the probability of having teeth filled later on.
Procedure of Applying Dental Sealants to Teeth
Although all back teeth have grooves and fissures, not all require sealants. Even so, sealants are crucial owing to the nature of these teeth. Before the procedure, a pediatric dentist conducts a thorough examination of the teeth vulnerable to tooth decay. The exam aims to check whether there are underlying conditions before painting the sealants. Conditions like cavities and decay will need to be treated before proceeding with sealants.
When painting sealants, the teeth are cleaned and rid of food particles and plaque and checked for any preexisting signs of decay. The teeth are dried and coated with an absorbent paste. This ensures that the teeth remain dry during the procedure.
An acid etch is used to clean and mildly graze the surface of the tooth. The acid etch aids in bonding the sealant material with the enamel. The teeth are rinsed and dried again. Thereafter, a thin layer of bonding paste is placed on the teeth, followed by the sealant. An intense curing light is then used to harden the sealant.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Generally, depending on the placement and how you care for them, sealants can last anywhere from three years to a decade. Patients are advised to avoid consuming foods with high acidity and clenching or grinding their teeth. Expectedly, sealants wear off with time. Therefore, like other dental procedures, patients are advised to have regular checkups to ensure that the sealant is in place and that there are no cracks or chips.
Talk to us at Frank Hsu, D.D.S. regarding dental sealants and how dentistry for kids in San Carlos can help with sealant application. Contact us at 650-262-1940 to book your consultation meeting. |
