Dental sealants can provide an additional layer of protection for your molars. The treatment is popular among youth to prevent cavities, as their new adult teeth are especially susceptible to tooth decay. Adults may still benefit from the treatment depending on the case.
What Is a Sealant?
A dental sealant is a tooth-colored layer of resin or other material applied to the crevices in molars. The treatment eventually wears off the tooth from chewing so no removal treatment is needed.
Sealants work by covering deep fissures naturally occurring in the structure of anterior teeth. These fissures are not only protecting the enamel underneath, but they also are smoothing out the area, allowing for regular hygiene like brushing to clean the area effectively.
In addition, the sealants may release ions that can help arrest tooth decay, depending on the material they are made of. One particular ion that can be released is fluoride, which helps promote reminerilization of the enamel.
Sealants last for roughly five years, though individual results vary greatly from this, between three & 10 years. Most dentists recommend replacing sealants at four years to ensure they are effective throughout adolescence.
Can Adults Get Sealnts?
Adults may benefit from sealants, though a combination of dental hygiene discipline & tooth maturity can reduce the overall benefit. Still, they can be a part of your preventative care, especially if you have particularly groovy teeth or struggle with tooth decay as an adult. Some people may simply not know sealants are an option for adults, which could explain why it’s less popular among adults.
What to Expect
Before getting sealants, it’s important that your dentist cleans your teeth to ensure no harmful buildup is trapped by the sealant, so the procedure is often done after a routine cleaning.
After your teeth are clean, your dentist will apply the sealant material on your teeth. The procedure is non-invasive, so no needles or drills are needed. Because of this, recovery time is just the short period it takes the sealants to dry. Sealants do not require altered eating habits, though it’s always a good idea to have a diet low in sugar & ultra-processed foods that can cause tooth decay.
Talk to your dentist today to see if sealants are right for you or your children.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10149715/
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/77310