What and why?

One of the problem areas for children and their teeth are the molars.  There are so many little tiny crevices within their little tiny teeth that brushes have a hard time scraping it all out.  Many parents are turning to sealants as a way of filling all the little spaces and grooves found in their children’s molars. With the little crevices filled, removing the plaque and food particles from a child’s teeth becomes much more possible and manageable.

 

Which and how?

Not every tooth needs, or should have sealant placed on it.  Dentists most often place sealant on the back teeth, or molars because of all the little tiny grooves and hiding spots for food to get caught in.  As you might imagine, your dentist is most qualified to decide which teeth should have sealant placed on them. 

 

The procedure is fairly simple and most often only requires one visit.  After cleaning, conditioning and drying the teeth, the dentist applies the sealant which is then allowed to harden with a specialized blue light. The dentists at Creek Road can answer any further questions you have regarding sealants.

 

How much and how long?

Though the expected lifetime of tooth sealants varies from patient to patient, most last for about 3 to 5 years.  With that said, many adults still have the sealants that were placed when they were in their childhood.  Once a child has sealants placed, it is important to have them checked frequently.

 

The process is generally affordable and can help a child avoid cavities, which tend to be quite expensive to fix.  Keep in mind, as well, that brushing is still VERY important for a child that has had sealants put in place.  Sealants are only meant as an aid to a regular habit of brushing and flossing.