Dental Sealants Huntington Beach
Giving At-Risk Teeth Added Cavity Protection
It takes time for children to learn how to brush their teeth as thoroughly as they need to. Until they get the hang of it, some of their teeth may be at an elevated risk of developing cavities – especially the hard-to-reach molars near the back of your mouth. Luckily, Dr. Arditti is ready to take appropriate preventive measures to keep your child’s smile safe from decay. Well-placed dental sealants can offer the extra cavity protection your little one needs. To learn more, feel free to reach out to our office.
Why Choose Pacific View Dental Group for Dental Sealants?
- Children and Adults Alike Welcome
- Private Practice That Utilizes the Latest Technology
- Team That Always Puts Patients First
What Are Dental Sealants?
To put it simply, a dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that can be applied to a tooth’s chewing surface. It effectively acts as a barrier against food particles and cavity-causing bacteria, thereby making tooth decay less likely to occur.
Dental sealants are specifically meant for the molars and premolars. These teeth tend to have many pits and grooves where bacteria can easily become trapped. Closing off these pits and grooves with dental sealants can go a long way toward reducing the chances of cavities occurring in the hard-to-clean back teeth.
How Are Dental Sealants Placed?
Placing dental sealants is a very simple procedure. In fact, it can easily be completed as part of a regular dental checkup. First, the sealant material is gently applied to the teeth that are in need of extra cavity protection. Then, with the help of a curing light, our team can quickly harden the material in place. After that, we can perform a last-minute check to make sure that the sealant is not throwing off the patient’s bite; adjustments can be made if need be.
Once dental sealants have been placed, you can normally expect them to last for anywhere between 5 and 10 years. The exact lifespan of dental sealants can vary depending on oral hygiene and other factors.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are typically recommended for children who are still developing effective brushing skills. According to the American Dental Association, it’s best to have dental sealants placed when the first permanent molars erupt (usually between the ages of 5 and 7) and again when the second molars come in (usually between the ages of 11 and 14).
In some cases, dental sealants can be beneficial for adults as well. They may be worth considering if there are particularly deep grooves in your molars or if you have a higher-than-normal risk for cavities. Our team can let you know whether dental sealants are recommended in your case after completing a thorough examination of your smile.