Dental Sealants
Smyrna, GA
At Reich Dental Center, we believe that the best way to have a healthy smile is to prevent problems before they happen. Prevention is always ideal over restoration. We offer a variety of preventive services to protect your teeth from decay, this includes fluoride treatments, dental cleanings, dental exams and the application of dental sealants. Working together, we can preserve the aesthetics of your smile.
A fantastic preventive step is the application of dental sealants which are a plastic shield that we paint onto the surface of molars to serve as a barrier between your teeth and bacteria. Our molars are naturally designed with deep grooves and fissures that can be difficult to clean, and an easy place for food debris, plaque, and germs to hide. Trapped germs doesn't always mean that the patient is a bad brusher, some of these grooves and crevices can be so narrow that the bristles of a toothbrush can't penetrate them, but decay causing germs can.
By applying sealants, we are providing a layer of protection and smoothing the occlusal surface, making it much easier to brush away debris. Additionally, we are sealing the tooth from harmful bacteria. Sealants prevent the acid that is produced by bacteria from creating cavities in the enamel of our teeth.
Studies have shown that sealants have reduced the incidence of decay causing cavities by 80%, with many of our young patients reaching adulthood without ever experiencing a cavity or needing a filling.
Who Qualifies For Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants can be applied to patients of all ages, though they are predominately suggested for children, youth and teens. This is because the younger age group is still learning good hygiene habits and tend to suffer from the development of decay more often.
At Reich Dental Center, we generally recommend sealants be placed as soon as the molars and premolars erupt above the gumline in our young patients. Applying them early can safeguard your child's oral health, while helping them establish a strong foundation of good oral hygiene habits that will follow them into adulthood. Dental sealants are not a substitute for good oral hygiene practices, good brushing and flossing habits are still necessary.
Though we advocate for all children, youth and teens to have dental sealants, adults can also benefit their placement, especially adults who are at greater risk for developing tooth decay. We can discuss this during your cleaning appointment. General risk factors for advanced development of tooth decay include patients who have poor oral hygiene habits, biological factors including the positioning of teeth or the thinness of their enamel, poor diet, patients who smoke or have a medical reason for creating less saliva, and patients who take certain medications reducing saliva levels.
Good Oral Hygiene
Developing a proper brushing and flossing routine is the best way to reduce your child's risk of developing tooth decay. We understand that this can be long and difficult to establish. Additionally, the prodding can take years. We ask that all of our patients brush their teeth at least twice a day, morning and night. Flossing should be done at the end of each day to remove any debris that has settled between the teeth. This can be a crucial part of your child's oral health.
Applying Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are generally applied following a dental cleaning. Before placement we wash the tooth with a special paste and rotary brush. The tooth is then rinsed and dried well. An acidic solution is applied to the grooved areas, this is to create a rough exterior. Sealants adhere to a rough surface better. The sealant is then painted with a small brush over the surface in liquid form, which is then hardened with an ultraviolet curing light. Once the sealant is hardened, it will appear as a varnish coating, and it can withstand the pressures of biting and regular use.
Dental sealants are highly durable, they can protect a tooth from decay for an average of ten years. During your future cleaning appointments and exams we will check the status of your sealant coating, if it needs touch ups it can be done at that time, no extra appointment needed.
Schedule An Appointment
We would love to answer your questions about the dental sealant process. Or more information call 770-435-5450, and schedule an appointment!
Request Your Appointment
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