Dental Sealants in Palmdale, CA - Tooth Sealant | AV Sierra Dental Center | Dentist Palmdale

Sealants

Even when you brush and floss regularly, it can be challenging to keep the surfaces of your back teeth clean. To prevent decay in the molars, your dentist may recommend dental sealants. This simple and effective option is available for both children and adults. Keep reading to learn how dental sealants at AV Sierra Dental in Palmdale, California, can benefit you.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating placed on the grooves of the back teeth to protect them from cavities. The thin layer acts as a protective seal, shielding the tooth surfaces from food particles, acid, and harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay. The dental sealants are not noticeable once placed, and they don’t create any inconvenience.

 

Who Are the Best Candidates for Dental Sealants?

Anyone can benefit from sealants. We like to apply them to children around six when their permanent molars first come in. Children are still learning how to brush and floss properly, and the grooves in the molars may not get cleaned properly, leaving them susceptible to decay. This is especially true since new teeth are more vulnerable to decay than older teeth with a more developed enamel coating. 

We may also recommend dental sealants for adults and older children with deep grooves in their molars called tooth fissures. Those deep grooves tend to trap food and are difficult to keep clean.

 

How Are Cavity Sealants Applied?

The procedure for applying cavity sealants is simple. The dentist examines the tooth, and then it is cleaned and dried. The tooth’s surface is roughened with a dental solution, and then it is rinsed out and dried again. The dentist then paints the plastic dental sealant onto the rough surface of the tooth. A special light dries the sealant in place, hardening it to become a protective shield between the tooth and harmful foods and liquids. This process only takes a few minutes and is not painful.

 

What Are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?

The benefits of tooth sealants include:

  • Protection against tooth decay
  • Improved oral hygiene
  • Fights cavities in one of the most vulnerable areas of your mouth
  • Quick, safe, and effective process
  • Painless procedure
  • Sealants cost less than fillings

It’s always better to prevent cavities whenever possible. Dental sealants are an excellent way to stop tooth decay in its tracks.

FAQ

Most dental sealants last up to ten years. They are strong and durable, able to withstand chewing and brushing. Eventually, they will wear down. Keep going to your regular checkups, and your dentist will let you know when or if the sealants need replacing.
 
 

 

Caring for dental sealants is just like caring for regular teeth. Brush and floss regularly. Use mouthwash. Make sure you continue to go to the dentist for a routine checkup every six months.
 
 
 
Please contact our dental office in Palmdale, California, for specific pricing questions. Your dental insurance plan may cover all or some of the costs of dental sealants.
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