The Benefits of Dental Sealants and Who Should Get Them

Dental sealants, which are also known as 'fissure sealants' are simply a protective plastic coating applied in liquid form to the back teeth, which are the most susceptible to decay. While shallow grooves and fissures do not need sealing, the small ones do, because they cannot be adequately cleaned with a toothbrush, the bristles of which are too large to reach into these areas. The sealant bonds into the tiniest grooves in the molars then dries and forms a hard protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.  This keeps food out of these grooves, thus preventing the buildup of bacteria which avoids decay. The smooth surface formed by the sealant is also easily cleaned.

Once a tooth has developed a cavity; it is considerably more difficult and more expensive to repair the damage. Dental sealants are considered both a safe and painless way to protect your teeth from developing decay and cavities and is a minimal intervention approach to dental care.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
Children and teenagers are usually good candidates for sealants because fissure decay often begins early in life. Having a sealant applied to your child's teeth just as soon as their permanent set comes in, protects them during some very cavity prone years.  However, adults who do not have fillings or decay can benefit from sealants as well. This is especially true in the case of people who are at a higher risk for caries. This includes people who have

• Early signs or a history of dental caries
• Deficient or too thin enamel on their teeth
• Deep pits and/or fissures on their molars
• A diet high in refined sugar or carbohydrates
• Poor oral hygiene and plaque control
• Orthodontics appliances

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Dental sealants are not used on people who are at a much lower risk for tooth decay, including individuals who have exceptional oral hygiene and a balanced diet, teeth with shallow pits and grooves that can be well cleaned with a toothbrush, or previously restored pits and fissures.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
It only takes a few minutes for us to apply a sealant to each tooth, which is a simple and painless process. The teeth that are to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and dried. An acid solution is then applied to the surface of each tooth to create a rough surface which helps the sealant bond to the tooth. After rinsing and re-drying the tooth, the sealant is painted onto each tooth, and an ultraviolet light used to 'cure' and harden the sealant.

How Long Do Sealants Last?
Dental sealants do wear down in time but, depending on the material used, can last from anywhere from five to ten years. However, they do have to be regularly checked  (at least on an annual basis) for any signs of chipping or wear. If either has occurred, we will probably add or replace some of the sealant in order to ensure that your teeth are still being protected from decay.

If you subscribe to the idea that, as Benjamin Franklin once said... "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", then do make an appointment with us and protect your teeth for many years to come.

Family Dentist  >  Dental Office

The Facts About Dental Fillings

You, or your child, may need dental fillings in order to protect your tooth and to keep it safe after damage or an infection.  Fortunately, there are several options available for people needing a filling and they now come in tooth-colored materials that make it difficult to tell that dental work had ever been completed. At Cute Smiles 4 Kids of San Antonio, we are experts at providing the care your family needs while keeping smiles beautiful.

Most often, a filling is used when treating a cavity.  If you, or your child, has a cavity the infected or decayed area will need to be removed.  This will leave a small hole or at least dent that needs to be filled in.  If it is left open and exposed, it will become an excellent resting place for bacteria, leading to future oral health problems.

Dental fillings are also used to restore teeth that have become worn down or damaged from an accident.  Chipped or broken teeth can also be treated with a filling.  This is most often seen when people grind their teeth.

The Process
If the dentist decides that a dental filling is necessary, they will numb the area before doing any work.  This is typically done with local anesthesia so that the patient doesn't feel any pain but is still awake during the procedure. A dental tool will then remove the damaged area of the tooth.  Once the damaged or decayed area has been completely removed it will be cleaned to make sure that there are no lingering bacteria.

If you have a standard metal filling, it will then be placed into the clean area and smoothed out to blend in with the tooth as much as possible.  If you have a tooth-colored filling, it will need to be placed in layers.  After each layer, a special light is used to harden the material before the next layer is placed. This process helps to create a natural appearance that patients desire.

Types of Fillings
There are several types of dental fillings to choose from, and the decision must be made based on personal preference, goals, cost, and lifestyle.

Gold fillings. These are extremely durable and can sustain hard chewing without needing to be replaced for ten to fifteen years.  They are easier to look at than silver fillings but also more expensive.

Silver fillings.  These will also last for ten to fifteen years but will not blend in with your tooth, and additional area may need to be removed from the tooth in order to make space for it.

Composites.  A composite or tooth-colored filling will blend in with your tooth and be bonded to it for additional strength.  They do take longer to place, extending a dental visit by at least twenty minutes.  Additionally, they only last for around five years vs. ten to fifteen.

As a patient, it is important to review your options with the dentist prior to deciding which type of dental filling is right for you.

Family Dentist  >  Dental Office