Dental Sealants in Irving, TX
Dental sealants are thin protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help keep out food and bacteria that cause cavities. At DFW Dental & Orthodontics in Irving, sealants take just a few minutes per tooth, need no drilling or numbing, and often last 3 to 5 years or longer.
Even the most avid brusher and flosser can miss some of the tiny grooves and pits on healthy teeth, especially those toward the back of the mouth. So to treat those hard-to-reach areas, DFW Dental & Orthodontics offers quick, comfortable dental sealants in Irving, TX to keep healthy teeth in tip-top shape. Dental sealants are also great for preventing cavities in kids!
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What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental Sealants are a thin, plastic-based protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth: the premolars and molars. Though they are most commonly applied to children’s teeth, which are at high risk of tooth decay due to the way the grooves and fissures of the teeth develop, sealants can also be beneficial to adults!
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The Procedure
Getting dental sealants is quick and painless. The procedure involves thoroughly cleaning and drying the teeth, applying an acidic solution that gives the sealant a better surface to adhere to, brushing on the liquid sealant material, then hardening it with a special light that cures and strengthens the material. The sealant acts as a shield between your tooth enamel and harmful bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay.
Though not permanent, sealants typically last 3-5 years and can even last for up to 10 years with good oral hygiene, though they should be checked periodically for chipping and wear during regular dental exams. They can be repaired by adding more sealant material or replaced entirely.
Sealants must be applied to healthy teeth and not ones that already have some decay, so the time to seal out decay is now! Dental sealants are a great, simple step that can save you and your teeth from more costly treatments and stress down the road.
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DFW Dental & Orthodontics
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are dental sealants?
Sealants are thin plastic coatings painted onto the grooves of molars and premolars. They seal out food and bacteria and help prevent cavities.
Q. Are sealants only for kids?
Sealants are most common for children and teens, but adults with healthy, cavity-free back teeth can benefit too.
Q. How are sealants applied?
Your dentist cleans and dries the tooth, applies a mild conditioning solution, paints on the sealant and hardens it with a special light. There's no drilling or numbing.
Q. How long do dental sealants last?
Sealants typically last 3 to 5 years and can last up to 10 years with good oral hygiene. We check them at each visit and can repair or replace them if needed.