The occlusal (biting) surface of your permanent back teeth is rough and contains small indentations. Regular and proper brushing and flossing can help clean the smooth surfaces of the teeth, but our toothbrush and floss cannot always effectively reach into the grooves and fissures of the back teeth. This can lead to bacterial deposits and potentially tooth decay in these areas.
Dental sealants are a form of preventive oral care treatment that seals and smoothes out the irregular surfaces of our molars and premolars and help to prevent tooth decay from occurring. When used in conjunction with a good oral care regime including regular home care and professional care such as cleanings, checkups and fluoride applications, sealants go a long way in helping you maintain healthy teeth.
A sealant is a coating of plastic or acrylic on the outer surface of a tooth, and the application procedure is quick, simple and painless. In fact, applying sealants takes only minutes per tooth. The procedure starts with preparing the teeth for sealant application. A dental cleaning may be performed prior to this to remove any existing plaque deposits and food debris from the surface of the teeth. Then, the tooth surface is dried and etched to help the sealant bond with it. The sealant material is painted on the tooth and is then allowed to dry. Once it hardens, we will check your bite and if all the indentations have been sealed.
For more information about dental sealants or other preventive care treatments, please contact our Fall Hill location or Falcon Drive location to schedule an appointment. Our two Fredericksburg locations offer convenient scheduling hours and Saturday appointments.
