(702) 341-9160
Book Now
Share Article:

Everything You Need To Know About Dental Sealants In Children

When we offer a dental treatment like sealants to you or your kid, our primary objective is to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the therapy. This is because, in the end, the choice of whether or not to go through with the treatment lies solely in your hands. Our dentist in Summerlin will want to go over with you the reasons why the treatment is necessary, what it takes, the benefits of getting it done, and the risks of not having it done so that you have an understanding of all of these things.

For instance, while doing a standard checkup on you or your child, we might notice that some of your teeth or their teeth could benefit from having dental sealants applied. In that scenario, the following information will provide you with all of the details you require concerning this standard practice. In this way, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding whether or not you would like to proceed with allowing your child to undergo sealants.

sealants

What exactly is a dental sealant, and why should you consider getting one?

In a nutshell, a dental sealant can be described as a thin coating that is similar to plastic and tooth-colored. This coating is applied to the biting surface of the back teeth.

When molars (the teeth at the back of the mouth) first emerge in youngsters, the biting surface of these teeth has deep pits and grooves. These locations are more prone to the accumulation of plaque and germs. Even for conscientious parents, it may be impossible to clean these spaces because of their difficult accessibility. As a consequence of this, bacteria are able to colonize them, and cavities begin to form.

A dental sealant is a preventative measure that is used to fill in these pits and grooves, making the biting surface of the tooth smoother and more level. This is accomplished by filling the pits and grooves with a material that is similar to putty. If you do this, less plaque and food debris will stick to your teeth, which will make it much simpler to clean your teeth and reduce the likelihood that you will develop dental decay.

Should Children Necessarily Have Dental Sealants Placed?

A method that is carried out in order to forestall the manifestation of unfavorable outcomes is referred to as a preventative treatment. As a consequence of this, having a sealant applied is not a matter of life and death. It is nothing more than a recommendation that is provided by your dentist in order to assist in helping to reduce the likelihood of a tooth acquiring decay at a later time. Sealants on permanent molars have been shown to lower the risk of decay by as much as 80 percent, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). As a result, the majority of patients believe that this preventative therapy is well worth the investment.

It is natural for teeth with deep grooves and pits to wear down and become flatter after years of use. This process can take several years. However, when determining whether or not to have sealants placed, you should think about whether you are ready to risk the possibility of developing decay in the meantime. If you are, then you should go ahead and decide to have sealants installed. In particular for a child, who may not be as diligent as an adult in the practice of brushing their teeth.

The Process of Dental Sealant Application

The application of dental sealant is a simple, quick, and completely painless technique. After being thoroughly cleaned and polished with a specialized conditioning gel, the tooth is ready for the next step. After that, a bonding agent is brushed over the tooth in small amounts. After that, the material used as a sealant is put into the pits and fissures of the tooth. This causes the sealant to harden and adhere to the tooth when a certain light is shined over the area to cure it.

The procedure described above may need to be carried out more than once if there are a significant number of teeth that need to be sealed.

What is the difference between a sealant and a filling?

When there is a cavity in the tooth that needs to be removed, a restorative procedure called a dental filling is employed. This filling is called a dental filling. A drill will be used to remove the cavity, and you will be given anaesthetic to keep you from feeling any discomfort during the procedure. Since dental sealants in youngsters are not "repairing" anything, the procedure does not require any needles or loud drills.

How a Dental Sealants Spends Its Days
sealants

The majority of sealants are pretty durable and may typically last as long as they were intended to. When the tooth has matured to the point where it does not have deep grooves and pits because of wear, the sealant is no longer required. This occurs when the tooth has worn down to this stage. On the other hand, we will not remove a sealant; rather, we will wait for it to fall out on its own at the appropriate moment. In the event that a sealant breaks down too quickly, it will need to be changed. When your child comes in for his or her regular dental checkups, we will evaluate the condition of each tooth as well as the sealant that protects it.

The Controversy Surrounding Dental Sealants Recent studies have demonstrated that certain dental sealant materials contribute to a very low-level exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). This has caused some individuals to reconsider having the treatment done. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that BPA exposure from dental sealants only lasts for a few hours after implantation, and they believe that the benefits of using dental sealants exceed the potential risks. In point of fact, inhaling air puts you at a greater risk of being exposed to BPA by one hundred times than dental sealants do.

Dental Sealants in Summerlin

Dr. Cohan, our Summerlin dentist, will conduct an examination of your child's teeth in order to determine whether or not sealants are indicated for them. This will take place when you bring your child in for a normal dental cleaning. You may have complete faith that we are looking out for your child's best interests and that we will never recommend preventative treatment that is not in some way actually beneficial to their overall health.

Please do not be reluctant to let us know if you ever experience any feelings of unease or if you have any queries that you would like answered. We take great pleasure in educating our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral health and look forward to the opportunity to do so with you. Please give us a call right away.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!

GET TO KNOW YOUR BEST DENTIST IN SUMMERLIN

Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.

IMG_8760-1.jpg-MINNESOTA-PHOTO-1-300x249

With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning.  Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens.  She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.

Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!

851 S Rampart Blvd #230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160
851 S Rampart Blvd #230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160