Dental sealants are a simple yet powerful way to protect your teeth from cavities. These thin, plastic coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, primarily molars and premolars, creating a barrier against decay-causing bacteria. While often recommended for children and teens as their permanent molars erupt, dental sealants can be beneficial for adults too.
Even with diligent brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use, toothbrush bristles often struggle to reach into the natural pits and grooves on the surfaces of your back teeth. These tiny fissures can trap food particles and bacteria, creating an ideal environment for plaque to accumulate and cavities to form. Dental sealants effectively fill these vulnerable crevices, creating a smooth, impenetrable surface that is much easier to keep clean.
Dr. Alexander Ash at Studio Dental Care in Studio City, California, offers dental sealants as part of their comprehensive dental services.
How Dental Sealants Are Applied:
The sealant application is a quick, comfortable, and non-invasive procedure, typically completed in a single dental visit. Here’s what to expect:
- Thorough Cleaning: Your teeth are professionally cleaned, just like during a routine dental check-up.
- Preparing the Tooth Surface: The teeth receiving sealant are treated with a special gel to help the sealant bond effectively.
- Rinsing and Drying: The gel is rinsed off, and the teeth are carefully dried. Keeping the tooth surface dry is crucial for proper sealant adhesion.
- Sealant Application: The sealant material, in liquid form, is carefully painted into the grooves and fissures of the tooth surface, usually on the back molars and premolars.
- Curing Process: A special curing light is often used to quickly harden the sealant, creating a durable protective shield.
The entire process is typically completed within one office visit, often in under 30 minutes.
Dental sealants provide long-lasting protection against cavities, especially on those vulnerable back molars. Professionally applied sealants can last for many years, often up to 10, significantly improving tooth function and overall dental health. For more detailed information about dental sealants, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Dental Sealants.
For personalized advice and to discuss whether dental sealants are right for you or your child, it’s best to consult with your dentist. Dr. Alexander Ash and the team at Studio Dental Care welcome new patients and offer a wide range of general and cosmetic dental services, including routine cleanings, dental sealants, and more. Contact Studio Dental Care today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how sealants can benefit your smile.
By Alexander Ash, DDS
Dr. Ash is the founder of Studio Dental Care. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, followed by two General Residencies at New York-Presbyterian / Weill-Cornell Hospital and the UCLA Sepulveda VA Hospital.