Dental Sealants are highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth. Like Dr. Montoya and Dr. Lai, many dentists recommend dental sealants as a part of your regular preventative dental procedure. 

WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS?

Dental sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic “coating” is painted onto the tooth’s surface. Dental sealants effectively “seal” the deep grooves, acting as a barrier and protecting enamel from plaque and acids. Dental sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can’t reach. So, when debris or bacteria fall on your back molars, they will roll off the top because the dental sealant will be in place to smooth the tooth. 

HOW ARE DENTAL SEALANTS APPLIED?

Dental sealants are easy to apply. It only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth with a dental sealant. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before a reapplication is needed. Dental sealants are typically applied to the back molars because they have the most grooves and ridges. The back molars are the hardest to reach with a toothbrush and floss. At Boulder Dental Designs, we apply dental sealants to adults and children, good candidates for dental sealants.  

WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A DENTAL SEALANT?

If you have healthy back molars free of dental decay, you are probably a good candidate for a dental sealant. Patients with many ridges on the top of the back molars and difficulty reaching the back molars with a toothbrush or floss are good candidates for dental sealants. Patients should not have dental decay or gum disease on or around the back molars. Your dentist should treat these dental concerns before a dental sealant is used on a back molar. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DENTAL SEALANTS?

There are several benefits to adding dental sealants to your preventative dentistry plan. Children and adults can benefit from dental sealants in the fight against tooth decay. Dental sealants decrease the risk for tooth decay by providing a barrier between the tooth’s enamel and potential bacteria and debris. It is important to remember that dental sealants only protect the top of the tooth, the enamel, from tooth decay. A patient should still brush their back teeth to remove debris and bacteria from the sides of their teeth and the gums. 

Another benefit of dental sealants is that they are more affordable than repairing a tooth with dental decay. For example, if you do not use dental sealants, you are more likely to develop tooth decay. The procedure, a dental filling or dental crown, used to restore the tooth is more expensive than having a dental sealant placed. 

Lastly, dental sealants are the same color as the tooth, so patients, friends, and family will not be able to tell that they have dental sealants. Dental sealants are a discrete way to protect your or your child’s teeth from dental decay. 

HOW LONG DO DENTAL SEALANTS LAST?

Dental sealants are designed to withstand average wear and tear, such as chewing. With good care, dental sealants typically last up to 9 years. To care for your dental sealants, you should follow a good oral hygiene routine. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash twice a day to remove debris and bacteria from your teeth. Additionally, it would help if you visited Boulder Dental Designs every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. At this appointment, your dentist can examine the health of our dental sealants and recommend a new sealant application if necessary. 

Dental sealants are an excellent aspect of our quality preventative dentistry in Boulder, Colorado. They are a great way to protect your teeth or your child’s teeth from cavities. With the use of dental sealants, the risk for cavities decreases. For more information about dental sealants or to schedule an appointment for any of our quality services, including family and cosmetic dentistry, contact our office.