Unique Way To Prevent Cavities - Sealants

Patients often ask me how they can prevent cavities.  Next to brushing and flossing, sealants are a great way to prevent tooth decay. I am a big believer in sealants!

 

A sealant is a plastic material that is painlessly applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth--the molars and premolars. Most tooth decay begins on these chewing surfaces because they have many small grooves where germs and food can hide, and toothbrush bristles cannot reach to clean. This plastic resin bonds into these grooves and acts as a barrier to protect these surfaces from food, plaque, and acids. Prevention is better than treatment. Preventing decay by sealing out the bacteria and acids that contribute to caries/cavities is much easier and much less expensive that the trauma and cost of dental treatment, such as fillings, extractions, or crowns!

There are no shots and almost no drilling when applying sealants! The tooth is first cleaned, a chemical etchant is applied, a liquid plastic material is painted on, and then "cured" (made hard) with a special light. It takes only minutes, and is easy for both the clinician and the patient! The hardest part about the entire procedure is keeping the tooth dry so that the sealant will stick.

Ideally sealants are applied upon the eruption of the first permanent molars, usually at age 6 years, and upon the eruption the second permanent molars, usually at age 12 years. Although traditionally sealants are applied to children of these ages, they are effective preventative measures for adults as well, especially if your teeth have deep grooves, or if you are prone to decay.

Just like tires on cars and roofs on houses, sealants don't last forever, and they tend to wear out over time due to normal chewing and eating.  For this reason, sealants need to be evaluated every 6 months and replaced when they wear out.  The average life of a sealant is 3-5 years, and most insurance companies will cover the cost of replacement within certain restrictions.


By Dr. Andrew Thompson
TenderCare Dental - Portland, Oregon
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