What is a dental sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating applied to the back teeth. It protects teeth from decay and helps prevent tiny pieces of food and bacteria from getting into crevices and grooves in the teeth. There are many areas on the tooth where brushing and flossing can’t reach the bacteria and food particles. Preventing anything from getting into the grooves can help the teeth stay healthy.
How is a dental sealant applied?
Applying a sealant takes a short time, but many proper steps must be carefully taken. Many offices employ a streamlined process with a minimal number of steps. They clean a tooth, apply a solution to help the sealant adhere, apply the sealant, and let it harden. With this minimal approach, the tooth is at a greater risk of having an inadequate seal and could harbor particles that decay the tooth.
Our office takes additional steps beyond the standard of care in our sealant application, including the application of medical-grade ozone to the tooth before application. Medical-grade ozone significantly enhances outcomes in all aspects of dentistry, including sealants, by safely eliminating bacteria in grooves and fissures and increasing the bond strength of the sealant. Once the sealant is placed, you can be sure nothing remains on your tooth to cause decay.
Can cavities form under a sealant?
Numerous research articles have been published regarding the risk of cavities forming under sealants. Not every dental office is extremely thorough in its application, so those sealants may have a higher risk of microleakage. At our office, we take several additional steps in our sealant application, including the use of an extra bonding agent and the application of medical-grade ozone to the tooth before application. We have vastly improved outcomes by taking the extra time to use multiple steps and proper isolation techniques.
If sealants are applied thoughtfully and the practitioner takes the time to use proper isolation and hygienic clean-up after application, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Do sealants have plastic that contains BPA?
Many sealants contain BPA or ingredients that break down to form BPA at the surface layer.
At our office, we provide sealants and composites that do not have BPA.
We will take the time to help you weigh the pros and cons of each option so that you can make the best possible decision for your family.
Contact us at 303-802-4313 to ask your questions and schedule an appointment.