REAL People. REAL Smiles.
Why live with uncomfortable and costly dental issues when you can seal off potential problems before they start? Invest in preventative dental care. Dental sealants protect tooth enamel by creating a shield for your teeth. This reduces the risk of tooth decay and the need for dental remediation due to cavities or decay.
Atlanta Smiles offers preventative dental solutions, including dental sealants. We provide expert care for adult and pediatric patients in the Atlanta area.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants offer a proven and effective preventative treatment option. A dental professional applies a protective plastic film to the tooth fissures. This application seals the area to guard against tooth decay on the chewing surface of the teeth. The film is a simple resin material like the material used for tooth-colored fillings.
Often, pediatric patients receive dental sealants as a foundation for good oral health. However, many adult patients also benefit from the protection offered through dental sealants.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
The molars and premolars in the back of our mouths have deep grooves or fissures on the chewing surfaces where tooth decay can form. Even with good oral health practices, some patients experience cavities over time.
Common causes of tooth decay:
- Frequently eating sugary, acidic, or sticky foods
- Receding gums or gum disease
- Wear and tear that comes with aging
- Poor dental hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Cracks or other damage to teeth
Bacterial plaque infiltrates the deep fissures in the tooth’s enamel. Unfortunately, toothbrush bristles and fluoride commonly miss these hard-to-reach grooves, inhibiting the natural protection of our teeth from our saliva. This simultaneously aids in plaque accumulation and results in the loss of minerals in the teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Why Is It Important to Prevent Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay can lead to significant health problems for the entire body. Plus, tooth decay cannot resolve without professional intervention. Dental procedures to remove and repair decay are costly. Even the best treatments for decay aren’t as good as preventing decay before it starts.
Potential impacts of unresolved tooth decay:
- Infection
- Pain
- Costly dental procedures
- Lost teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Chewing or speech problems
Build a barrier against the risk of tooth decay with dental sealants.
Frequent Questions
How Do Dental Sealants Prevent Tooth Decay?
Dental sealants prevent bacteria from infiltrating the deep grooves in the teeth. It also provides a smooth surface for toothbrushes to clean easier and improves the natural protection of the saliva.
The seamless design of sealants allows them to flow into the deep grooves of your teeth. Dental sealants offer a genuinely painless and beneficial method of tooth decay prevention.
How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
It only takes a few minutes for your Atlanta Smiles dentist or hygienist to apply a sealant to a tooth. The process is pain-free and usually only requires one dental visit. We can apply sealants to multiple teeth during the same appointment.
Step 1 – Clean Teeth
First, we thoroughly clean and dry the teeth receiving the sealant. It’s essential to remove any food particles or bacteria before applying the sealant.
Step 2 – Apply Acidic Gel
We apply an acidic gel to the area where the sealant will go. The acid creates a rough surface for the sealant to attach and form a solid and lasting bond.
Step 3 – Apply Sealant
Then, we apply the sealant to the fissures in the clean and dry teeth. Finally, we use a blue light to harden the sealant and form the protective layer on the teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants offer many benefits for patients of all ages.
- Pain-free procedure
- Quick application time
- Effective protection against decay
- Safe for children
- Long-lasting
- Avoid costly dental treatments for decay
Contact Atlanta Smiles to protect your teeth against the risk of cavities.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Sealants?eening?
Sealants are most beneficial to kids and teenagers. Younger patients that protect their teeth early can potentially avoid future dental issues caused by unprotected tooth fissures.
Many kids get sealants on their molars and premolars shortly after they come in to establish protection when they are most vulnerable. Even smaller children may benefit from sealants on their baby teeth. It is imperative to keep baby teeth healthy, so they don’t come out too early, as they are pivotal in providing the proper spacing in preparation for adult teeth.
Adults without any existing tooth decay or fillings are also good candidates for dental sealants. Invest in added protection to maintain the health of your teeth. A tooth with existing decay cannot receive dental sealant in children or adults.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Under proper care and monitoring, a dental sealant can last for up to 10 years—schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups to monitor the condition of the sealants. Wear and tear, or chipping can occur over time—schedule reapplication for worn or chipped dental sealants.
Practice good dental hygiene for best results. A dental sealant offers a simple and affordable long-term solution to prevent dental problems before they even start.
Are Dental Sealants Safe?
Yes! The American Dental Association ascertains the safety of dental sealants for use in children and adults. When applied by an experienced professional like our Atlanta Smiles team, patients experience safe and effective results.
What Do Dental Sealants Cost?
Dental sealants cost significantly less than the costs associated with dental procedures to repair decay. Some dental insurance plans cover part of the costs of dental sealants. Check with your insurance provider regarding the specific coverage for your policy.
Why Choose Atlanta Smiles for Dental Sealants?
For over 20 years, Atlanta Smiles has provided trusted dentistry services for patients throughout the Atlanta area. We care about our patients and have a passion for creating beautiful smiles. This starts with good oral health. Dental sealants help patients protect and maintain healthy teeth.
Contact Atlanta Smiles today to discuss whether dental sealants are the right solution for you.
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