Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that shield the chewing surfaces of your back teeth from harmful, cavity-causing bacteria. Dentists or hygienists may place sealants as part of a preventive dental treatment plan.
What are dental sealants?
Sealants are thin, liquid coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (premolars and molars). Once applied, a dentist cures and hardens the sealant material to shield and protect your teeth from harmful cavity-causing bacteria.
What are dental sealants made of?
Manufacturers use a couple different materials to make sealants, including medical-grade:
- Resins (plant or synthetic).
- Glass ionomers (glass powder combined with a water-soluble acid).
What is the purpose of sealants?
Dentists place sealants to protect your teeth from disease-causing bacteria. Your back teeth have deep grooves that help you grind up food when you chew. Food and bacteria can become trapped in these grooves, leading to tooth decay (cavities) over time. Sealants coat these areas so bacteria can’t reach them.
Who needs dental sealants?
Children and teenagers are popular candidates for dental sealants. But adults without decay or dental fillings in their molars can also benefit from this treatment. In general, anyone who’s prone to tooth decay on their back teeth should consider sealants.
Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. This way, the dental sealants can protect their teeth through the cavity-prone years (ages 6 through 14).
In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for primary (baby) teeth. For example, if your child has baby teeth with deep depressions and grooves, sealants can protect these areas. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding space for adult (permanent) teeth, it’s important to keep these teeth healthy so they’re not lost too early.
How common are sealants?
Sealants are one of the most common preventive dentistry treatments performed today. In the U.S., approximately 42% of children aged 6 to 11 and 48% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have dental sealants on their adult (permanent) teeth.
Richmond Dental Centre Accepting New Patients
Are you looking for a local dentist in the city of Richmond? The Dental Professionals at Richmond Dental Centre welcomes walk-ins, emergencies & new patients! Give us a call at (604) 273-3368 to schedule a dental appointment.
