Long-Term Protection Without Detection
Many people have deep pits and
grooves in their teeth, making them especially susceptible to decay.
Children with poor brushing habits may also develop
decay easily on their newly erupted molar surfaces. And although both
of these situations may have previously meant cavity trouble at each
dental visit, dental sealants now offer a means of successfully protecting
molar and premolar chewing surfaces from decay. Recognized by the American
Dental Association as a key means of cavity prevention, dental sealants
are simply a thin plastic film that can be applied to your at-risk
tooth surfaces.
Dental sealants are particularly simple to apply. First, we
identify and fill any spots of decay, then prepare your teeth with
a cleaning and etching
solution. After about 15 seconds, we thoroughly rinse the solution,
dry the surface, coat your teeth with the dental sealant, and harden it
with a curing
light. The entire procedure is not only painless, but fast: requiring
between ten and forty-five minutes, depending on the number of teeth
we're sealing.
Properly applied, dental sealants create an impenetrable
physical barrier for small food particles and cavity-causing bacteria,
making
them nearly
100 percent effective in preventing tooth surface decay and the
resulting cavities. Unbroken, they last between five and ten years. And
although
most insurance companies only cover sealant procedures at a minimal
level, more and more companies seem to be recognizing this technique's
value
as a preventive measure that will help reduce future dental costs
and more aggressive treatments.
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