|
Dental sealants are used to protect teeth from permanent decay. They are plastic coatings that cover the chewing surface of the teeth (molars and premolars) and prevent the formation of cavities and consecutively tooth decay.
Need for dental sealants
The chewing teeth also known as molars and premolars have certain fissures. These fissures can be narrower than a single bristle of a tooth brush. This makes it difficult to clean these fissures. As a result, plaque and bacteria tend to develop in these fissures eventually resulting in tooth decay.
Dental sealants work as a cover for these fissures or pitted areas. They cover up the teeth preventing the bacteria or the plaque to enter the fissures. Hence, they help keep cavities and subsequently tooth decay at bay.
Fixing dental sealants
The primary purpose of dental sealants is to protect the chewing surface of molars and premolars. It is for this reason that they are placed only when the teeth has grown above the gum line. This helps cover the chewing surface of the tooth properly.
Placing dental sealants is an elaborate procedure and must be done under the supervision of a dentist. The process of placing these sealants begins with the thorough cleaning of the teeth. A rotating brush and paste is used for this purpose. This is followed by drying the tooth.
An acidic solution is placed on the fissures. This solution is left to stay on the chewing surface of the teeth for a few seconds before it is finally rinsed off. The acidic solution makes the area rough. This helps the dental sealant attach easily to the tooth.
After the acidic solution is rinsed off, the tooth is dried again. Now the liquid dental sealant is finally placed on the required area. This liquid sealant is then hardened using a light. In some cases, a two set dental sealant may be used instead of light for hardening purposes.
Once the dental sealant hardens, it turns into a fine plastic varnish coating. This coating or dental sealant works just the way your normal tooth does. You can use it once again to chew and crush your food.
Using dental sealants
Using a dental sealant is pretty easy. They work just the way your normal teeth do. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is to keep them clean. It is suggested that you use fluoride to keep dental sealants clean. This is because dental sealants only protect the chewing surface of your teeth. They do not offer any protection to other teeth surfaces.
Typically, a dental sealant lasts for a couple of years. But, if you have a problem with the sealant, you can get it removed or changed even earlier.
|