Preventative Dentistry

Sealants

These are a good way to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth from decay. A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface. Sealants are normally suggested for children and teenagers – As soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16.

Comparison images of a tooth before and after dental treatment showing improvement.

  • Sealants are easily applied by your dentist or dental hygienist and the process takes only a couple of minutes per tooth.

    The teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and then surrounded with cotton to keep the area dry. A special solution is applied to the enamel surface to help the sealant bond to the teeth. The teeth are then rinsed and dried. Sealant material is carefully painted onto the enamel surface to cover the deep grooves or depressions. Depending on the type of sealant used, the material will either harden automatically or with a special curing light.

  • Flouride is a naturally occurring element that strengthens teeth. It is normally recommended for children with developing permanent teeth to help in preventing tooth decay. It comes in several forms, eg. Tablets, drops, varnishes and gels and is found in some toothpastes, mouthwashes, milk and certain foods and added to water and salt in some countries.

    At the dentist it is normally applied as a gel or varnish in a more concentrated form. It is placed in a tray and placed in the mouth after the teeth have been scaled and polished. After fluoride is applied there should be no rinsing, eating or drinking for 30 minutes as this helps to increase the fluoride contact with the teeth.