Protect Your Dental Health With Sealants From Our Dental Office Near Las Vegas, NV
Teeth with deep grooves are difficult to clean, making them more susceptible to decay. Sealants can solve this problem by filling these grooves to create smooth, flat tooth surfaces. Sealants are thin, protective coatings generally made of composite resin, a restorative dental material, and cover the chewing surfaces of the teeth to form a seal that keeps food and bacteria out. The professionals at Radiant Smiles offer dental sealants to patients near Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of our comprehensive dental care services.
Who Is a Candidate for Sealants?
As sealants smooth out the surfaces of the teeth for easy cleaning, anyone with deep grooves in their teeth is likely a candidate. But when would a dentist recommend sealants for a patient? The process is slightly different based on age.
- Children and teenagers should get sealants when their first permanent back teeth (six-year molars) erupt. They can also get sealants anytime during their cavity-prone years (between six and sixteen years old).
- Adults can opt for sealants on healthy teeth with deep grooves and depressions to prevent bacteria buildup and tooth decay.
- Babies can occasionally get sealants if they are especially prone to cavities and their teeth have deep grooves or depressions.
A dental professional can perform an exam and determine if sealants are good options to protect your dental health.
How Do Dentists Apply Sealants?
Getting sealants is a fairly simple process. After determining that you are a good candidate, the dentist will follow the below steps to apply the sealants:
- Clean the teeth thoroughly.
- Place cotton around the area to keep the teeth dry. This is essential so the sealant will adhere to the tooth surface.
- Apply a solution to the enamel to help the sealant bond to the teeth.
- Paint the sealant to the tooth surfaces, which only takes a few minutes per tooth.
- Rinse and dry the teeth.
Depending on the type of sealant, the material will either harden immediately, or the dentist will use a special light to cure it.
Follow-Up Procedures
While sealants protect teeth from decay for years, a dentist must check them for damage and excessive wear at regular dental visits. It’s crucial to maintain good dental hygiene, brush and floss twice a day, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits to extend the life of your new sealants.
Are Dental Sealants Right for You?
Radiant Smiles proudly offers general dentistry and outstanding care to patients near Las Vegas, NV. To learn more about dental sealants and our other dental services, contact us today to schedule an exam or visit one of our offices.
