At StoneRidge Dental Care, our dentists emphasize the importance of preventive dentistry in maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and body, in addition to preventing serious oral health problems from occurring altogether.
Our dental care team likes to think of preventive dentistry treatments, like dental sealants, as investments in the future of your oral health. By applying a protective barrier to vulnerable areas, we can help you avoid the need for more invasive and costly restorative procedures down the road.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are composed of a thin layer of tooth-colored composite resin designed to protect the chewing surfaces of the teeth from wear and tear and tooth decay. While they are most commonly recommended for children and teenagers as their permanent molars erupt, adults with deep grooves or a history of decay can also benefit significantly from this simple yet effective preventive measure.
How Do Dental Sealants Protect The Teeth?
The surfaces of our molars are covered with cracks, crevices, and grooves known as pits and fissures. These are areas where food particles, bacteria, sugar, and acids become easily trapped. Due to these bumpy textures, the surfaces of these teeth can be quite difficult to keep properly clean with a toothbrush alone, as the bristles often cannot reach the very bottom of the narrow grooves.
Dental sealants protect the surfaces of our molars in two primary ways:
- Acting as a shield: They provide a physical barrier against the harmful acids and bacteria that cause tooth decay.
- Creating a smooth surface: By filling in the deep grooves, sealants create a smoother surface that is much easier to clean and maintain with daily brushing.
With dental sealants, your molars’ chewing surfaces are protected against the onset of cavities and even from some of the normal wear and tear that occurs during chewing.
A Quick & Comfortable Application Process
The process of applying sealants is one of the easiest and most comfortable treatments in dentistry. There is no drilling or removal of tooth structure required. Our team simply cleans the tooth, applies a specialized gel to help the sealant bond, and then “paints” the liquid resin onto the enamel. We then use a curing light to harden the material in seconds. Once in place, the sealants are virtually invisible and do not interfere with your natural bite.
Longevity & Maintenance
With proper care, dental sealants can protect your teeth for several years. During your routine check-ups at our Gahanna, OH office, our dentists will examine the sealants for any signs of wear or chipping. If a sealant becomes worn, it can easily be touched up or replaced to ensure your teeth remain fully protected.
Comprehensive Preventive Dentistry At StoneRidge Dental Care
We provide complete preventive dentistry services tailored to meet each of our patients’ unique needs. From advanced cleanings to protective sealants, our goal is to help you maintain a healthy, functional smile for life.
To learn more about dental sealants and how they protect your teeth or to schedule a preventive dentistry appointment at StoneRidge Dental Care, we welcome you to contact our office in Gahanna, OH, today.
Would you like me to check if your child’s recent molars are at the ideal stage for sealant application?