Jarred K. Donald, DDS
16631 Coit Rd #114
Dallas, TX 75248
972-818-4300
888-49-SMILE
Patient Education - General Dentist Information in Dallas
Sealants
The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic
decay. Even regular brushing sometimes misses some of these intricate
structures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Enter sealants, which are thin coatings applied to the chewing
surfaces designed to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and other debris
into the deep crevices on the tops of your teeth.
Sealants actually were developed about 50 years ago, but
didn't become commonly used until the 1970s. Today, sealants are
becoming widely popular and effective; young children are great
candidates for preventative measures like sealants because in many
cases, decay has not set in. Even on teeth where decay is present,
sealants have been shown to fight additional damage.
Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The
procedure is followed by etching the tooth with an abrasive
substance, which allows the sealant to better adhere. After the sealant
is applied, a warm light source is directed to the site to promote
faster drying. Sealants usually need re-application every five to 10
years.
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