Sealants
Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth can keep them clean but sometimes cavities still form due to fine grooves or pits on your back teeth, or molars. Dental sealants from our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists act as a protective shield that works to prevent plaque and food particles from building up inside those very grooves.
are thin coatings that can be painted or brushed onto the chewing surface of your molars as a preventive measure. They can also be used to counteract cavity formation when early stages of tooth decay are already present.
Our Ann Arbor dentists may recommend sealants to you if upon examination, it is noticed that your tooth’s structure is prone to decay.
Who Needs Sealants?
Though it is more common for sealants to be applied to children’s teeth, teens and adults can also greatly benefit from the application.
After they have been applied to your teeth, dental sealants are able to halt cavities for up to 10 years if proper oral hygiene is maintained. Sealants are also much less expensive than fillings in the long run.
That being said, simply having sealants on your molars is not a guarantee that cavities won’t ever form. It is expected that you will remain diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.
How Sealants Are Applied
Dental sealants are quick and painless to apply. There is no recovery time and the entire process can be completed during one visit to our Ann Arbor, MI, dental office.
First, your molar(s) will need to be prepared for the application of the sealant coating. To do this, our dentists will clean and dry the tooth before using an acid solution to roughen the chewing surface. This allows the sealant to form a strong connection to your tooth.
The sealant can then be painted onto the tooth so it can bond and harden properly. Once the sealant has been fully applied, you’re all set and our dentists will wrap up your appointment.
Schedule an Appointment
Interested in learning more about sealants or having them applied? Our Ann Arbor, MI, preventive dentists can perform an oral examination to see if sealants would be right for your teeth. Contact us online to request an appointment or call Excel Dental today at (734) 929-9999.