Children have a higher susceptibility to suffering from cavities due to multiple factors, such as diet, oral hygiene habits, and genetics. Most often, however, many cavities that children get come from the development of their primary molars. These molars tend to have deep crevices that accumulate food and bacteria over time. These crevices tend to be so deep that normal brushing habits won’t remove the bacteria, causing the acid to dissolve the enamel and form cavities as a result. Dental sealants solve this problem by providing a protective surface for the teeth. While normally treated for children, dental sealants can also benefit adults as well. At the Dentistry of Miami, we give our patients a wide variety of options to treat their cavities.
What are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants, typically made of plastic material, cover the tooth’s chewing surface and is most commonly applied to molars and premolars. Tooth bristles can’t penetrate all these grooves, and so these unreachable spots become a place that allows for plaque and food particles to collect and begin decay. Dental sealants protect these grooves and depressions by acting as a protective barrier from food particles, bacteria, and plaque buildup.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants for Adults
Despite their gear towards children, adults can gain some positive benefits from getting dental sealants. Dental sealants provide a proactive way to protect teeth from cavities, preventing food and plaque from building up over time. Dental sealants are a preventative maintenance tool for both children and adults and can help save money down the line. Sealants have the ability to resist decay for up to 10 years before they start to decay, and for adults, dental sealants can protect teeth from further complications, especially when factors such as old age and bone loss become more prominent over time.
How We Apply Dental Sealants
At Dentistry of Miami, dental sealants are a pain-free, effortless process. Our process involves:
- 1. Thoroughly cleaning the tooth to prepare them for the sealant.
- 2. Surrounding the teeth with cotton to keep the tooth dry.
- 3. Applying an acid solution around the chewing surface of the teeth. This acid solution roughens the teeth, creating a rough surface for the sealant to adhere to during the procedure.
- 4. After removing the acid solution, the sealant’s applied and painted into the molars of the tooth, covering and filling the crevices and depressions.
- 5. Once the bonding material has dried, we use a special curing light to help the sealant harden.
At Dentistry of Miami, we also offer easy replacements for dental sealants, and we will check up on the integrity of your sealants when you have regular check-ups with us. Have more questions? Contact either Dr. Solorzano or Dr. Furshman today to schedule an appointment with us. At Dentistry of Miami, we give our patients a customized experience, focusing on providing restorative treatments such as crowns and veneers to give our patients the smiles they deserve.