What
are dental sealants?
Why
get sealants?
Who
should get sealants?
How
are sealants put on?
Besides
sealants, are there other ways to prevent tooth decay?
How
can I get more information about sealants?
Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the
back teeth.
Sealants are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools.
Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a
liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.
Sealants are clear or tinted. Tinted sealants are easier to see.
Are sealants new?
No, sealants are not new. They have been around for a long time! Research by
NIDR and others led to the development of sealants in the early 1960s.
But many people still do not know what sealants are. In fact, fewer than 20
percent of children in the United States have sealants!
How long do sealants last?
Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular
dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist can
repair sealants by adding more sealant material.
How much do sealants cost?
Sealing one tooth usually costs less than filling one tooth.
Having sealants put on healthy teeth now will save you money in the long run
by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth.
But the most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay.
Healthy teeth can last a lifetime!
Does insurance pay for sealants?
Many insurance companies pay for sealants. Check with your company for
details.
By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs
and food that cause decay.
What causes decay?
Germs in the mouth change the sugar in food to acid. The acid can eat a
cavity in the tooth. The decay has to be cleaned out by drilling and then the
tooth has to be filled.
Of course a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent
decay. That's why sealants are so important.
Why do back teeth decay so easily?
The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have
small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and stay there
a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away.
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Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth
come in -- before decay attacks the teeth.
The first permanent molars -- called "6 year molars"-- come in
between the ages of 5 and 7.
The second permanent molars --"12 year molars"-- come in when a
child is between 11 and 14 years old.
The other teeth with pits and grooves -- called "premolars" or
"bicuspids"-- right in front of the molars, also may need to be
sealed.
Teenagers and young adults without decay or fillings in their molars also may
get sealants.
Should sealants also be put on baby teeth?
Your dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if your child's baby
teeth have deep pits and grooves.
Baby teeth play an important role in holding the correct spacing for
permanent teeth -- so it is important to keep baby teeth healthy so they don't
fall out early.
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1.
The tooth is cleaned. Usually polished with pumice and then washed.
2.
The tooth is dried, and cotton or other material is put around the tooth
so it stays dry.
3.
A solution (ortho phosphoric acid, as a green gel) is put on the tooth
surface that makes the tooth a little rough. Etched for 30
- 60 seconds. (It is easier for the sealant to stick to a slightly rough
tooth.)
4.
The tooth is rinsed and dried. Then new cotton is put around the
tooth so it stays dry. The tooth should look frosty.
5.
The sealant is applied in liquid form and hardens in a few seconds with
the dental light cure.
What if a small cavity is accidentally covered
by a sealant?
The decay will not spread because it is sealed off from its food and germ
supply.
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Yes. The best way you can help prevent tooth decay is to brush with a
fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water (water is fluoridated in about
half the cities and towns of the United States). If your water is not
fluoridated or if your teeth need more fluoride to stay healthy, your dentist
can prescribe it in the form of a gel, mouth rinse or tablet.
If you have a baby or a young child that needs fluoride and do not have
fluoride in your water, your physician (pediatrician) or dentist can prescribe
fluoride drops or tablets.
Fluoride is the best defense against tooth decay!
Remember:
