People often think about kids and preventing cavities when they think about dental sealants. Traditionally, sealants were recommended for kids with newly erupted molars, but this is changing.
More and more adults are learning that some decay (microcavities) can develop in a person’s mouth without being visible, even for a person who brushes their teeth well. When a microcavity is first formed, it does not need a filling right away; it can often be treated with preventative measures before they ever become a cavity.
This is where dental sealants are getting attention. These are being utilized in new ways to treat microcavities.
What Are Micro-Cavities?
Micro-cavities are the very early stages of decay. At this time, they are typically small and only on the surface of the tooth.
They generally will not cause-
- No Pain
- No Sensitivity
- There is no visible hole in the tooth.
As a result, many people may not know that they have micro-cavities.
Untreated micro-cavities may develop into larger cavities that will require a filling. If dental sealants are applied at the appropriate time, the micro-cavities can stop developing into large cavities that require fillings.
How Dental Sealants Work
Dental sealants are a thin coating of a protective material applied to the chewing surfaces of the back molars.
Many times, the chewing surface of your back molars contains deep grooves that can trap food and live bacteria because the chewing surfaces of back molars tend to have deep grooves.
Sealants are considered a latex barrier because they can-
- Covering grooves and pits.
- Preventing food from getting trapped.
- Reducing bacterial buildup.
Why Sealants Are No Longer Just for Kids
Dental sealants are no longer limited to just children’s teeth. Adults can also benefit from dental sealants, especially if they-
- Have deep grooves in their teeth.
- Frequently have cavities.
- Are exhibiting very early signs of wear of the enamel.
- Want to limit future restorative dentistry work.
Many adults express surprise when we recommend dental sealants for them, when in fact, many of those same adults are actively looking for ways to avoid fillings, so dental sealants are a good preventive option for them.
Who Should Use Dental Sealants?
While sealants may not be appropriate for everyone, they can be very useful when utilized for specific individuals.
You may be a good candidate for receiving a dental sealant if you are-
- Chronically affected by cavities.
- Observe dark stains in the grooves of your teeth.
- Experience difficulty cleaning the occlusal surfaces of the teeth in the back of your mouth.
At Clove Dental Riverpark, we evaluate each patient separately and individually to determine if sealants are indicated. Our philosophy is to only utilize sealants where there is an actual need to provide protection.
The Procedure: Simple and Comfortable
The procedure of applying dental sealants is quick and uncomplicated.
The following steps will take place-
- The tooth surface is prepared with a cleaning and drying step before applying a bonding agent.
- The dentist will apply dental sealant material onto the cleaned and dried tooth surface, that material will then be set or hardened with a curing light.
The whole dental sealing procedure will be fast and easy, with all procedures typically completed within one visit. Additionally, since there is no drilling necessary, patients often find this an excellent way to perform preventive treatment.
A Shift Toward Conservative Dentistry
Less invasive techniques are used in today’s dentistry than previously. Rather than responding to an issue after it’s happened, we now emphasize preventing problems before they occur.
An excellent example of this attitude shift is how we have begun applying dental sealants instead of waiting to repair visible damage to a tooth.
At Clove Dental Riverpark, we like to provide patients with options that will keep their natural teeth as long as possible.
Final Thoughts
Micro cavities may not present themselves with any symptoms, however, left unchecked they could develop into larger problems. Early discovery and simple preventative measures can revolutionise the world of dentistry.
Dental sealants are no longer just a treatment for children. They are a practical option for adults who want to protect their teeth and reduce the need for future dental work.