Dental sealants is preventive dental procedure which is used to prevent tooth decay.
Indications:
- History of dental caries
- Poor plaque control
- Orthodontic appliances
Age period for sealant placement:
- Ages 3 and 4 years are the most important times for sealing the eligible deciduous teeth.
- Ages 6-7 years for the first permanent molars.
- Ages 11-13 years for the 2nd permanent molars and premolars.
How are sealants applied?
It is a quick and painless process.Your dentist will clean and dry your tooth before placing an acidic gel on your teeth.after few seconds, your dentist will rinse off the gel and dry your tooth once again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Then a special blue light is used to harden the sealant.
Can sealants be placed over cavities?
Sealants can be used over areas of early decay to prevent further damage to your tooth.
How long do pit and fissure sealants last?
Sealants usually last for may years, but you must visit your dentist to check them regularly and to make sure that the seal is still intact.Sometime decay can start underneath it so regular dental check-up should be done.
How do pit and fissure sealants work?
The sealants forms a smooth, protective barrier by covering all the deep grooves which are on the surface of the tooth.Dental decay easily starts in these grooves if they are not sealed.