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Dr Ronald Moreno
3628 Meridian St.
Suite 1B
Bellingham, WA
98225
360.676.0642
Dr. Moreno is a proud member of:
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
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Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of
your chewing teeth, sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored
acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth.
This effectively "seals" the deep grooves where decay
is most likely to start.
What Is A Sealant?
A sealant is a plastic material that is applied
to the grooves of teeth, where decay occurs most often. This sealant
acts as a barrier, protecting the decay prone areas of the teeth
from plaque germs. Sealants are a safe, painless, and low-cost way
to help protect your teeth from decay. Sealants have been used for
than 10 years.
Why Are Sealants Necessary?
Many teeth have tiny grooves that form as they develops.
These are pits and fissures. This is where most decay occurs. That's
because the bristles of a toothbrush can't get down into the grooves
to remove the food and bacteria that get trapped there. By forming
a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque
and food, and thus decrease the risk of decay.
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How Are Sealants Applied?
The tooth is cleaned.
The tooth is dried, and cotton or other material is put around the
tooth so it stays dry.
A solution is put on the tooth surface that makes the tooth a little
rough. (It is easier for the sealant to stick to a slightly rough
tooth).
The tooth is rinsed and dried. Then new cotton is put around the tooth
so it stays dry.
The sealant is applied in liquid form and is hardened by light in
a seconds. |
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Who Should Have Sealants Applied
And When?
Although children receive significant benefits from sealants, adults
can also be at risk for pit and fissure decay and thus be candidates
for sealants.
Children benefit from getting sealants on their permanent back
teeth as soon as the teeth completely erupt - before decay attacks
the teeth. Teenagers and adults without decay or fillings in the
grooves of their teeth also may benefit from sealants.
The first permanent molars -- called "6 year molars"--
come in between the ages of 5 and 7.
The second permanent molars --"12 year molars"-- come
in when a child is between 11 and 14 years old.
The other teeth with pits and grooves -- called "premolars"
or "bicuspids"-- right in front of the molars, also benefit
from sealants.
Which Teeth Should Be Sealed?
Only decay free teeth are sealed (see more about laser cavity detection,
click here). Usually the molars and premolars are sealed; however,
any tooth (sometimes behind an upper front tooth) with a substantial
groove that is not cleanable can benefit from a sealant. Fluoride
helps protect the smooth surfaces, but only sealants can keep food
and bacteria from getting into the grooves of the teeth.
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What About Baby Teeth?
The baby molars often don't need to be sealed. However,
it may be beneficial to seal the baby molars if there is a high
risk of decay (sometimes too if there is not a permanent tooth to
replace the baby tooth). Since baby teeth are "space holders",
losing baby molars from decay can cause crowding when the permanent
teeth come in.
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How Long Does
Sealing Take?
Generally, all the back teeth can be sealed in one
30 to 60-minute office visit. |
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Will Insurance Cover Sealants?
Many dental insurance plans cover all or part of the cost of sealants
for children. Check with your insurance company for details, because
there are often age limits, even limits on which teeth may be covered. |
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How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants can last for many years, as much as 10 or more. If they
chip or come off, they can easily be replaced. Any problems can
be detected at your regular dental checkups. As long as the sealants
are in place, decay cannot develop in the grooves. You can help
the sealants last by not chewing on ice cubes or hard or sticky
candy.
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Are
Sealants Safe?
Yes, reports from a 1996 study questioned the safety
of sealants, and resurfaced again in 2001 in a commentary by MSNBC.
The 1996 study from the University of Granada in Spain questioned
whether a raw ingredient used in the manufacture of sealants is
leached out with subsequent detrimental estrogenic effects. Further
studies by the American Dental Association, researchers at the University
of Nebraska Dental School, and Boston University School of Dental
Medicine showed that if BPA is leached from sealants it is not detectable
in blood tests and therefore does not represent an estrogenic hazard.
I feel very confident in both the safety and value of sealants for
both adults and children.
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Disclaimer:
The materials on this web site are informational only and not intended
as a substitute for professional dental and/or medical advice. Accordingly
you should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health
problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare
provider. |
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Major Insurance Accepted
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