Dental Sealants Rockwall
Stop Cavities Before They Start
Cavities can develop on any part of the teeth, but they are most common on the chewing surfaces. At Spillman Family Dental of Rockwall, we want to help you and your family protect your teeth — including your precious chewing surfaces — from decay! That is why we are pleased to offer dental sealants, a fast and painless preventive treatment that can protect the teeth and prevent cavities from even getting started. Continue reading below to learn more, or get in touch with us to request a consultation.
What Are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that we place on the chewing surface of molars and premolars. It acts as a barrier that prevents food particles and plaque from settling into the grooves of the teeth, where they could otherwise start to cause enamel erosion and decay.
Sealants should not interfere with your bite, and after they are placed, they become virtually unnoticeable. Although they do not replace good oral hygiene or other preventive measures, they can play a great role in protecting teeth from the ravages of decay.
How Are Dental Sealants Placed?
The dental sealant process is pretty easy. It usually takes just a few minutes per tooth, and it can often be added onto a routine cleaning and checkup appointment.
After the teeth are cleaned, we use cotton rolls or a rubber dam to keep each tooth dry. Then, we use a mild acidic gel to etch or slightly roughen the tooth’s surface; this helps the sealant adhere well. Next, we brush on the sealant material and harden it with a special curing light. We remove the cotton rolls or rubber dam, and the patient then rinses their mouth.
The process is painless, does not involve the use of drills or any other tools that could be intimidating, and is tolerable for virtually all patients.
Once they are in place, sealants may provide ongoing cavity protection for several years.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
We often recommend sealants for children who are just getting their adult teeth. Sealants can protect these new teeth as kids are still learning to master their oral hygiene routine; they may prevent decay and help permanent teeth to truly stand the test of time. Our team will likely talk to you about sealants as we notice your child’s permanent molars and premolars starting to come in.
Of course, sealants are not exclusively for kids. Many adults can also benefit from them. We might recommend them for you if you have deep grooves in your teeth that are not easy to clean with your normal toothbrush. They can also be a great help for adults with physical or mental limitations that make it difficult for them to keep up with a thorough oral hygiene routine.