Rancho Cucamonga dentists say that dental sealants is a thin plastic coating that dentists apply to teeth at high risk of decay.
Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists will go into the pits and fissures of these teeth to apply the sealant. This protects the teeth from bacteria and acids that can cause cavities. It is painless and seamless to seal your teeth.
How to Prepare Your Tooth
Rancho Cucamonga Dental Hygienists and Rancho Cucamonga Dentists can usually seal teeth in one visit. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, there are six steps in sealing teeth using traditional resin-based sealants. To get this material, the first three stages prepare the tooth.
Rancho Cucamonga Dentists and Dental Hygienists must first remove any food or plaque that might be hiding in the pits and fissures. This will help to seal the teeth. They clean the teeth with a toothbrush and pumice paste. Next comes drying and isolation.
Rancho Cucamonga Dentists use a small amount of air to dry the teeth. This is because resin-based sealant can only be applied to dry teeth. They then seal the tooth with saliva using cotton rolls.
The next step is etching. This creates a slightly rough surface to aid in resin-based sealant bonding well to the tooth surface.
Applying the Sealant
The fourth step in this process is draining. The Rancho Cucamonga Dentist will rinse the tooth, dry it, and then isolate it with rolls.
Next, you need to apply the sealant. The sealant is a liquid that is applied to the tooth as a plastic film. The dentist or dental hygiene professional applies the sealant to the tooth’s surface. They then guide it into the pits and fissures.
While some sealants can be set in seconds, others need to be exposed to a concentrated UV lamp. The dentist will need to shine the light for approximately 30 minutes before the sealant sets.
Although dental sealants can last for many years, they should be checked at every visit. Dental sealants aren’t meant to replace a great oral care routine. They protect teeth from pits and fissures, but they don’t cover all of them. To prevent cavities, it is important to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
How to Get Glass Ionomer
Rancho Cucamonga Dentists can also seal teeth using glass ionomer sealing agents. These sealants are different than resin-based ones and require a different application. Glass ionomer sealants adhere to moist surfaces so it is not necessary to dry them before applying them.
Glass ionomer sealants can also be a great choice for teeth that are difficult to maintain and dry like molars that aren’t yet fully developed due to gum disease.
Glass ionomer sealants do not need to be etched onto the tooth’s surface. A conditioning agent is instead applied by dentists.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, some glass ionomer sealants can be applied without the use of light. However, light-curing can reduce the time required to set the material depending on the nature of the restoration.
Rancho Cucamonga dentists often use dental sealants on children aged six to twelve, but adults and older children can also benefit.
It is very affordable and can be completed in a short time. Talk to your Rancho Cucamonga Dentist if you think dental sealants might be the right choice.