Designing Smiles 13017 W Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33626
Sealants
What is a Dental Sealant?A dental sealant is a plastic coating that is applied to the grooves and pits of teeth on the chewing surface. Grooves in back teeth can be so narrow that toothbrush bristles can't get inside them to clean them properly, but guess what does? Bacteria. Bacteria that cause tooth decay. By having the plastic sealant coating placed over the teeth, we can prevent the most common cause of tooth decay in both kids and adults.
Who should get Dental Sealants?Children should receive them on their permanent teeth as soon as they erupt. Usually this is at age 6, 12 and 17. Anyone can have a dental sealant placed as long as there is no decay present, or a filling.
How are Sealants applied? It is very easy. First the tooth is isolated with cotton rolls. The tooth is cleaned with pumice or air abrasion. Then the tooth is etched with a mild acid and rinsed and dried. The dental team then applies the liquid resin sealant with a brush, kind of like a nail polish brush, and cover all the grooves of the tooth. A bright LED light is shined on the tooth to make the material hard like a tooth. The bite is checked and adjusted.
Are they safe?
Yes. They have been around for decades and are simple, painless and require no drilling or shots! You can't beat that!
How long do they typically last?
Some sealants can last up to 5-10 years. Sealants are highly effective at preventing decay on the top of teeth. You still need to brush and floss to prevent cavities from developing in between teeth and on smooth surfaces. Most insurance companies consider the procedure to be in the preventive category, and normally cover the cost of sealants at between 80-100%. Check your individual policy for coverage details. Sealants are evaluated during your future checkups and reapplied as needed.
FYI: Dr. Angela Hilton-Foley really believes in preventative nature of dental sealants and has helped hundreds and hundreds of underprivileged kids in the Citrus County Public Schools by working on the Dental Sealant Bus in 2008. She has placed 1000's of dental sealants!
