Dental sealants to “Seal out” cavities affordably and to quickly protect teeth

Preventive dentistry is fundamental to the Let’s Smile Dental practice in New York City. Dr. Imran Ahmed and associates may recommend dental sealants as soon as your child’s back teeth are visible.

Sealants: The preventive power

Dental sealants are a tooth covering designed to “seal out” the substances that contribute to tooth decay, such as cavities. These substances include bacteria, food debris, and plaque. The back teeth, premolars, and molars are more susceptible to tooth decay. They are hard to reach at the back of the mouth, which makes them more challenging to clean than teeth in the “smile zone.” Because they are more hidden, some patients may not give them the TLC they deserve. Importantly, these teeth are grooved. Food particles become trapped in these pitted and uneven surfaces. Lingering food combines with bacteria to form plaque. Then, plaque build-up eats away at the tooth structure, bone and also damages the supportive soft tissues (gums).

So, sealants are a great measure to protect the teeth from the leading causes of tooth loss: decay and gum disease. The American Dental Association reports that sealants reduced the risk of cavities in the molars by around 80%.

The process

If one of our dentists determines that your child is an excellent candidate for sealants, the teeth to be treated are first cleaned and dried. A conditioning liquid is also applied to secure the strongest bond between the tooth structure and the sealant material. The sealant itself is applied carefully to the pitted surfaces of the teeth as a liquid. We assure that the material seeps into the crevices well before hardening the liquid. Once bonded, sealants are incredibly durable. We will check them and ensure they remain in good condition during regular checkups. If they need to be reapplied, the process is easy and fast.

As a preventive treatment, sealants may be fully covered by your dental insurance plan. Generally, they are a low-cost alternative to reactive procedures designed to treat problems rather than prevent them. And, while we may recommend sealants sooner rather than later, more “experienced” patients can also benefit from their protective power. Adult patients may be good candidates for sealants if they are at risk of developing cavities due to conditions such as dry mouth.

Your good oral health and stunning smile can’t wait. The sooner that we can effectively protect your mouth, the better off you will be. Call us at (212) 831-8940 to get ahead of problems that can threaten the health of your teeth.