Benefits
- Highly effective in the prevention of cavities
- Reduce cavities when applied on top of a slightly decayed tooth by sealing off the supply of nutrients to the bacteria that caused the cavity
Who is this procedure for?
- Children aged 6, whose six-year molar has erupted
- Children aged 12, whose twelve-year molar has erupted
- Sealants can also be used on permanent premolars and primary molars
- Although sealants are mostly used in children, virtually any tooth with grooves and pits can benefit from this procedure.
What happens before the procedure?
The application of sealants is a very simple and quick procedure. To prepare the patients’ teeth, the dentist needs to clean the surface of each tooth that is to receive sealants. After that he or she rinses the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning agent.
What happens during the procedure?
Once the teeth are clean the dentist waits for them to dry. The sealant material can only be applied on perfectly dried teeth. Once applied, it is allowed to harden using a special curing light. The procedure can be thought of as similar to that of applying nail polish to fingernails. Depending on the number of teeth that need to be sealed, the procedure can last from 5 to 45 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
Sealants do not require special treatment. Since it is a non – invasive procedure, patients can resume their activities right after they had the sealants applied. However, regular dental check-ups are necessary to monitor the sealants’ bond to the tooth
