|
Sealants
After years of
decline, the
incidence of
dental caries
has once again
begun to
increase. The
Surgeon General
in his Report
on Oral Health
in America
notes that ''
Indeed, what
amounts to a
'silent
epidemic' of
dental and oral
diseases is
affecting some
population
groups."
Sealants are
extremely
effective in
the long-term
reduction of
pit and fissure
caries, and
studies have
shown sealants
to reduce the
incidence of
caries as much
as 50 percent.
What is
Sealant?
A sealant is
a thin, plastic
coating applied
to the chewing
surface of
molars,
premolars and
any deep
grooves (called
pits and
fissures) of
teeth. More
than 75% of
dental decay
begins in these
deep grooves.
Teeth with
these
conditions are
hard to clean
and are very
susceptible to
decay. A
sealant
protects the
tooth by
sealing deep
grooves,
creating a
smooth, easy to
clean surface.
Sealants can
protect teeth
from decay for
many years, but
need to be
checked for
wear and
chipping at
regular dental
visits.
Sealants are
most effective
for patients
with a high or
moderate risk
of developing
carious lesion
Reasons for
sealants:
-
Children
and
teenagers
– As soon
as the
six-year
molars
(the first
permanent
back
teeth)
appear or
any time
throughout
the cavity
prone
years of
6-16.
-
Adults
– Tooth
surfaces
without
decay that
have deep
grooves or
depressions.
-
Baby
teeth –
Occasionally
done if
teeth have
deep
grooves or
depressions
and child
is cavity
prone.
What do
sealants
involve?
Sealants are
easily applied
by your dentist
or dental
hygienist and
the process
takes only a
couple of
minutes per
tooth.
The teeth to
be sealed are
thoroughly
cleaned and
then surrounded
with cotton to
keep the area
dry. A special
solution is
applied to the
enamel surface
to help the
sealant bond to
the teeth. The
teeth are then
rinsed and
dried. Sealant
material is
carefully
painted onto
the enamel
surface to
cover the deep
grooves or
depressions.
Depending on
the type of
sealant used,
the material
will either
harden
automatically
or with a
special curing
light.
Proper home
care, a
balanced diet,
and regular
dental visits
will aid in the
life of your
new sealants.
|
