How Can Dental Sealants Issues Be Solved?

Molars have pits and ridges, which can be hard to brush and floss. When this is the case, it is easy to develop plaque and tartar, which can lead to tooth cavities. This is where the Cordova dentist recommends applying dental sealants to prevent cavities. Dental sealants are more suitable for children as it is during this period that their teeth are vulnerable to decay. Although sealants are ideal for kids, they can also benefit adults. Nevertheless, these dental appliances can bring some complications, and this piece will help you know these problems are solved.

Dental Sealant Application Process

When you go to the dentist anchorage in AK, the dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth. Cleaning is essential as it removes any food debris and ensures the sealant adheres well to the affected tooth’s surface. Next, the tooth is dried, and cotton is placed to keep off saliva from wetting the tooth.

The dentist will then apply an acid solution on the tooth’s chewing surfaces. The acid solution roughens the tooth’s surface, ensuring the sealant adheres well. After this, the teeth are rinsed and dried, and the adhesive is applied to the tooth enamel. The sealant begins to dry up, and a curing light might be used to speed up this process.

The good thing with dental sealants is that they protect against cavities for the first years after being applied. The protection these sealants provide depends on how well you take care of your oral health. However, sealants need to be reapplied after a couple of years as they are susceptible to chipping and wearing off due to the chewing forces.

What Are the Pros of Dental Sealants?

First, sealants can help fight tooth decay. When you go for dentist anchorage services, the dentist can recommend dental sealants if your tooth is not severely damaged. So, before the dentist applies the adhesive, they will first treat the tooth decay to prevent it from spreading to the healthy teeth. Then, when the sealant is applied, it covers the tooth’s pits, which means there’s no build of food debris that can cause plaque and decay.

Another benefit of a dental sealant is that it improves your oral health. As mentioned earlier, sealants cover the ridges and pits of your teeth, leaving no room for food debris to get stuck. Although this is the case, sealants cannot replace proper oral hygiene. Therefore, you should brush your teeth twice and floss at least once.

In addition, dental sealants are cheaper than dental fillings. So, sealants can be affordable if you’re on a budget and want the dentist to cover the cavities caused by tooth decay.

Lastly, sealants are safe to use. There are no known health hazards of having sealants applied; therefore, you should not be worried about these dental appliances. However, there are some disadvantages to these appliances.

What Are the Cons of Dental Sealants?

First, dental sealants are not durable when compared to dental fillings. With good care, fillings can last more than a decade, but sealants can last up to only five years.

On top of that, sealants can seal in dental decay. This is why you need to visit a certified dental office like the Anchorage Dental Arts as the dentist will examine your teeth before proceeding with the dental sealant application. An accredited dentist will perform an oral exam to know the extent of decay and treat it before proceeding with dental sealant application.

Another con of dental sealant application is that it cannot be applied over dental fillings, so if you have dental fillings, the dental sealant application.

Lastly, the major problem with dental sealants is that they can chip and wear off after application. This is why taking your kids or yourself to the dental office near you for a regular checkup is essential. The dentist will check the state of the sealants and determine if they need reapplication.

Which Is Better, Sealing or Filling Teeth?

A tooth cavity leads to permanent damage to the tooth. This is where a filling comes in, as it prevents the spread of decay to other teeth. On the other hand, sealants prevent cavities in the teeth removing the need for dental fillings after tooth decay. So, dental sealants are preventive, whereas fillings reduce the spread of decay.