Tooth Sealants
Chewing surfaces of your teeth, especially the molars, trap plaque and food debris that can cause cavities. The longer the plaque and food materials are allowed to remain on the tooth, the greater the likelihood of developing a cavity. Hence, the need for daily brushing of your teeth.
The problem is that there are places between our teeth and even in the groves on the surfaces of our teeth, especially on those hard-to-reach molars, where brushing just doesn't do the job. Cavities eventually form in these places. To help prevent this, Dr. Winchester can apply a plastic tooth sealant to the surface of your teeth.
Magnified view shows
how strands of
tooth sealant
material will
penetrate openings
in the tooth
enamel to seal
the tooth against
decay-causing
plaque and food
particles.
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The plastic sealant, as the name implies, seals the tooth--it fills in the groves and covers rough spots that might be missed during brushing--to help prevent cavity formation. Used on children, it can help keep them from having cavities as they grow up to become adults.
Usually, sealants are applied to childrens' teeth. The child must be old enough to cooperate with the dentist, and the teeth to be sealed must be fully erupted (exposed) before the sealant can be applied. Indeed, probably the most difficult aspect of using tooth sealants for children is that they may be less than cooperative, especially, if they've never had a filling and do not fully comprehend the purpose of the sealants. Because of this, the child's parents are urged to fully explain the process and emphasize that the child must give the dentist their full cooperation and attention so that the process is successful and long- lasting. This should be done before the visit to have Dr. Winchester do the work.
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There are also occasions when sealant may be applied to an adult's teeth. Dr. Winchester will consider each case and make recommendations according to the needs at hand.
Dr. Winchester must know that the teeth to be sealed are free from decay, so there may be a need for Xrays before work can be done.
Application of the sealant is similar to the use of "white fillings". An etching compound is first placed on the teeth to prepare for the sealant. After a brief time, this is washed away. Next the teeth are dried. Then the sealant is applied--painted, daubed, and troweled onto the teeth, then shaped to appear natural and have a fitted bite. Finally, a special light is shined on the sealant to make it harden.
While the process is relatively simple, quick, and painless, there are technical considerations that Dr. Winchester must take in to account as he applies and sculpts the sealant--experience counts here.
As to the question of cost, there is no way to accurately guage this without allowing Dr. Winchester to do an evaluation of the tooth/teeth involved. You simply need to
make an appointment for a free
consultation visit. Dr. Winchester can then determine, discuss and explain what needs to be done and how much it will cost. If you have dental insurance, you may also want to check--many policies do cover tooth sealants since the insurance companies know that in the long run use of the sealants will save them money. You may also need to know that sealant can be applied in stages--doing the teeth that are most likely to give trouble first and more teeth as you can afford it. Dr. Winchester will be happy to discuss these possibilities with you.
The downside of the sealant picture is that abuse--chewing ice, for example--can cause part of the sealant to break away. Sealants can only do their job if they remain intact, so a repair may be necessary. (Many insurance companies only cover sealant work every three years.)
The state of the sealant is checked during regular tooth-cleaning and examination visits. Baring some event like that described above, the sealant may last several years before it evenutally wears away. Once this happens, replacement of the sealant will be recommended to continue protecting the teeth from decay.
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