Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day make up the backbone of good dental hygiene. However, even the best brushers and flossers may not be able to remove all of the plaque, tartar and food debris that can build up on the chewing surfaces of your molars and premolars. To protect those teeth, call Kathy Cosmetic Dentistry at 818-347-1550 to make an appointment with our dentist, Dr. Kathy Daroee, for dental sealants in Woodland Hills, California.
The ridges and grooves on your back teeth are also known as cusps and they play a very important role in helping you chew your food to make it easier to swallow and digest. However, those cusps can trap material that contributes to tooth decay and is not easily removed.
When you visit our office for dental sealants, Dr. Daroee will carefully clean and dry your back teeth. Then she will apply a very mild solution designed to create small abrasions on your tooth which will help the sealant adhere to the enamel. The sealant is plastic and applied directly to the surface of the tooth. When it has cured, it can protect your tooth for up to ten years. Please remember that the sealants only protect the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, and you will need to continue brush and floss them.
Sealants work best the earlier they are applied and are often used for children after their teeth erupt, but adults who struggle with tooth decay may also benefit from them.
Dental Sealants FAQ
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a type of preventive treatment used to protect teeth from cavities and decay. Once applied, sealants form a smooth coating over the surface of the tooth which blocks out decay-causing bacteria and food debris. This smooth coating also makes it easier for you to keep your teeth clean with normal brushing.
How are dental sealants applied?
Sealants are made from clear or tooth-colored resin material and painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth, where they then dry to form a smooth, protective coating over the natural pits and grooves of the teeth. Sealants can be applied quickly and comfortably during your regular dental visits.
How long do dental sealants last?
Once applied, your sealants will provide protection for your teeth for several years. In fact, sealants have been known to last up to 10 years with proper oral care. If you have received sealants, our dentist will check your teeth at each of your regular appointments to determine the condition of the sealants and whether or not they should be reapplied.
Who can receive dental sealants?
Sealants are most frequently provided for children and are applied to the permanent molars as soon as they come in (between the ages of six and 12 years). Adults who are prone to developing tooth decay may also receive sealants.