Category: Dental sealants

Dental Sealants: What to Expect During the Procedure?

Posted on by westerndental

A preventive dental procedure called dental sealant can help in preventing tooth decay. Although this treatment is usually advised for children, it can also benefit adults. Western Piedmont Dental provides complete dental care including dental sealants in Rutherford College.

It’s normal to be curious about what to expect during the procedure if you’re considering getting dental sealants. In this blog, we’ll examine dental sealants in more detail, along with what to expect from the procedure.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars and premolars). Deep grooves and cracks on these surfaces can be challenging to clean by brushing and flossing. In these grooves, germs can build up over time and lead to decay.

Over these grooves, sealants produce a smooth surface that facilitates cleaning and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Although adults can also benefit from sealants, they are primarily used on children’s and adolescents’ permanent molars.

What to Expect During the Dental Sealants Procedure?

Dental sealants can be applied quickly and painlessly. The procedure includes the following steps:

 

  1. The teeth will be properly cleaned to get rid of any food particles, plaque, or dirt before the sealant is put in.

 

  1. After being thoroughly cleaned, the teeth are dried with the use of an air compressor or cotton rollers. Due to the necessity for the sealant to effectively adhere to the tooth surface, this step is crucial.

 

  1. The dentist will treat the tooth’s surface with an acidic solution. By roughening the tooth’s surface, this solution improves the sealant’s bonding.

 

  1. The tooth will be cleaned and dried once more after the acid etching.

 

  1. The tooth surface is then covered with the sealant. Usually, it is applied as a liquid and then hardened with a specific light. The dentist will make sure that all of the fissures and grooves on the tooth surface are covered with a sealant.

 

  1. The dentist will examine your bite after the sealant has dried to make sure it is not overly thick.

 

The whole process usually takes a few minutes per tooth only. Anesthesia is not required, and many patients don’t feel any pain.

What to Do After the Dental Sealants Procedure?

You can continue your regular activities right away after getting dental sealants. However, there are a few things to keep in mind after the procedure:

  1. After having the sealants, wait a few hours before chewing anything tough or sticky.
  2. To maintain good dental hygiene, be sure to brush and floss frequently.
  3. Keep up with regular visits to the dentist to make sure the sealants are still protecting your teeth.

With the proper maintenance, dental sealants can last up to ten years. At each dental checkup, the dentist will examine the sealants, and replace them, if required.

Conclusion

Using dental sealants to prevent tooth decay is a quick and easy solution. There is no recovery period after the procedure and it is rapid and painless. Ask your dentist if dental sealants are a good option for you or your child if you’re thinking about getting them. Dental sealants can help keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free for many years with the right care.

If you’re looking for dental sealants in Rutherford College, get in touch with Western Piedmont Dental now.

5 Myths about Dental Implants You Need to Know

Posted on by westerndental

More and more people are realizing the benefits of dental implants, but many myths still surround the procedure, and some even discourage people from seeking out this treatment in the first place. In order to give you accurate information about dental implants, we’re debunking 5 of the most common myths about this process so you can decide if it’s right for you. Read on to find out what these myths are and why they aren’t true at all!

Dental Implants Are Noticeable

If you’re going in for dental implants, that means you want your teeth back. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t look just like your natural teeth. Modern materials and techniques can make your dental implant so seamless, people will never know it was missing.

Dental Implants Require a Lot of Maintenance

One of dental implant myths out there is that they need a lot of maintenance, and that’s simply not true. With proper care after your dental implant procedure, you can go a long time between visits to your dentist. Just brush and floss as usual, and you should be good for quite some time! In fact, going more than three years between appointments is pretty typical with dental implants—though it does depend on your own unique oral health.

Implants Damage Surrounding Teeth and Gums

While it’s true that there may be some initial pain and discomfort from placing a dental implant, complications are extremely rare. Surrounding teeth, gums and other soft tissues will not be damaged. They’re protected during all stages of treatment. Long term implant survival is excellent, with 96% of patients experiencing no loss in bone density over five years. As long as you eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene habits, your dentist can keep your mouth healthy even after dental implants have been placed.

Dental Implants Commonly Fall Out

Some people will tell you that dental implants aren’t safe. They might even say that most of them will end up falling out. This isn’t true. The truth is that dental implants rarely fall out—and when they do, it’s usually because there was a problem with how well it was put in place during surgery or a failure on your part to take care of it afterwards.

Dental Implants Cause Headaches

Although it is true that some dental implants can cause headaches, most have little to no impact on your head. Before you consider dental implants, be sure to consult a physician and have an MRI performed. If you’re in good health, it may be time for new teeth! It’s important that you know whether or not dental implants are right for you before you decide on them. Ask your dentist if they’re a good choice!

Conclusion

If you’re considering getting dental implants in Valdese, don’t be scared off by all the myths that have been floating around for years. Instead, educate yourself and find a reliable practitioner who can answer all of your questions. You might just find that dental implants are the best option for you.

Is dental sealant necessary for my child?

Posted on by westerndental

Dental sealants are coatings with a very thin layer formulated to apply on the chewing surfaces of teeth. The main reason to use dental sealant is to prevent dental cavities in the first place.

It is common for children without sealants to have three times more first-molar cavities than those with sealants. While more parents now ensure that their children have dental sealants to avoid cavities, many children still don’t have dental sealants and thus, remain exposed to cavities and are two times more likely to have untreated cavities.

Did you know 9 out of 10 cavities occur only in permanent back molars?

 

Why are untreated cavities a serious problem?

When an individual, regardless of age, has untreated cavity, it can lead to:

  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Problems while speaking, eating, and learning

Millions of children can be protected from cavities with dental sealants.

However, the reality is no different for adults as well. Without dental sealants, even adults can have cavities. So, no matter if you are a teenage kid or an adult, you should get dental sealants and prevent your teeth from developing cavities.

 

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are thin-layer coatings applied on the teeth to provide protection against cavities. They can easily flow into the nooks and crannies of molar teeth and harden immediately so that the patient can eat and drink without waiting for hours.

When dental sealants are applied soon after permanent molars appear in the mouth, they can prevent a child from developing cavities.

While first molars come around at the age of 6, second molars come around the age of 12. This means, even if your child has got dental sealant at the age of 6, it is better to make an appointment for dental sealants at the age of 12 as well when a child has second molars in the mouth. Otherwise, second molars remain exposed to the attack of bacteria and cavity problem.

 

Who should I see for dental sealants?

Dental sealants can be applied by dentists, dental hygienists, or other qualified dental professional, based on the state laws and regulations. They can be applied either in dental offices or in a community setting such as schools by using portable dental equipment.

 

How effective are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are fast, easy, and painless way to protect you and your children from cavities. Most children get cavities in the permanent back teeth.

Once dental sealant is applied, it protects the person against 80 percent of cavities for two years and keeps providing protection against 50 percent of cavities after four years.

So, if you are a parent, ask your child’s dentist about when it is appropriate to apply dental sealants. In case you are an adult and don’t have sealant protection, you can also visit your dentist to see if you should get dental sealant.

For more information about dental sealants in Connelly Springs, please contact Western Piedmont Dental.

Debunked Misconceptions about Dental Sealants

Posted on by westerndental

Several pieces of evidence show dental sealants are effective in preventing and stopping non-cavitated pit-and-fissure carious lesions. And it’s not something new in the dental industry. But, still, this simple treatment is widely underused. People, especially parents, are not ready for dental sealants. And it’s all because of a few misconceptions prevailing in the dental industry.

In this post, we will discuss the misconceptions that stand in the way of this quick, safe, effective minimally-invasive treatment and a lot of healthy smiles.

Misconception 1: Dental Sealants leak 

The leakage of dental sealants depends on how properly the technique is used. If there are no voids after curing, the dental sealants will never leak.

Sealants don’t leak but they require a bit of maintenance, including touch-ups now and then. It’s because they go through a lot of normal wear and tear because of their placement on the most hardworking teeth in the mouth. If you give them periodic touch-ups, they will not leak and stay in perfect shape forever.

Misconceptions 2: Teeth underneath sealants decay 

Actually, dental sealants prevent tooth decay. So no way, they can impact teeth negatively. When bacteria accumulate on teeth, they get easily removed from smooth surfaces with regular brushing. But, unfortunately, they tend to stick around in difficult-to-clean areas such as grooves, pits, and fissures.

When dental sealants seal these nooks and crannies, bacteria and food debris are unable to get in. This makes the smooth surface easier to clean and maintain. The tooth underneath dental sealants will decay only if they are not placed properly. So, make sure you work with an experienced dentist for dental sealants in Valdese.

Misconceptions 3: Dental sealants on decay teeth lead to cavities

Bacteria need fuel to survive and thrive that they get from food and drinks you consume. Due to dental sealants, the bacteria are unable to access this fuel and their growth process gets halted.

If there is no access to food, the bacteria will not grow. And when the bacteria will not grow, there will be no cavity. So, even if dental sealants are placed on a decayed tooth, it will not get cavitated.

Misconception 4: Dental sealants don’t last for long 

The lifespan of dental sealants depends on how correctly they are placed. It’s said that if everything is fine, the dental sealants can last up to 5-10 years. But, the thing is sealants should be maintained properly because they go through a great deal of wear and tear than other teeth. Sometimes, they get chipped or fall off.

Fortunately, you can repair or replace dental sealants and use them like always. It’s good to make sealants check a regular part of your routine dental appointments.

Misconception 5: Dental sealants are difficult to apply

As dental sealants are hard, people think they are time-consuming and difficult to apply. But actually, applying dental sealants is a very simple process and takes only a few minutes. The only thing that makes a difference is the material of the dental sealants.

With fewer occlusal adjustments, dental sealants get easily placed on the most hard working teeth of your mouth.

Forget the misconceptions and schedule an appointment for the dental sealants in Valdese today.

How are dental sealants applied over teeth?

Posted on by westerndental

Dental sealants are basically a thin coating applied over the molar and premolars on the chewing surface to seal the narrow grooves on them.

Sealants can significantly prevent tooth decay while shielding the sensitive tooth surface from the attack of cavity-causing acids and other such components if placed precisely over the deep grooves of your tooth.

Generally, sealants are applied to the enamel of the permanent tooth of an adult rather than the baby teeth.

The work of dental sealants is similar to the work of general sealants put over a crack over any surface. It seals the deep grooves on the top surface of the molar and premolars to ensure that there is no space for food particles to gather and cause cavities over time.

You can take the help of any dental professional like your dentist or dental hygienist to get dental sealants in Valdese. You must only rely on professionals for the service and check the regularities of state to check who is eligible to place dental sealants, how and under what conditions.

A professional dental expert will conduct the procedure in their dental office under proper hygienic conditions with the proper equipment and expert techniques. Let’s now discuss the application of sealants on teeth.

Application of dental sealants

Application of Dental sealants is not an invasive process and seems quite simple as follows:

  • The very first step in the process is to remove any residue from the teeth. There could be plaque or food particles over the teeth’ surface. After the cleaning, the teeth are examined for any decay.
  • Each and every tooth is dried up individually and wrapped with a material that can absorb the moisture and keep the tooth dry throughout the process.
  • Then, a mild etchant is used to clean the surface of the tooth to make it slightly rough. This is important to aid the bonding of the sealant material.
  • The applied mild etchant solution is rinsed off to dry up the tooth once again.
  • Firstly, a light coating of bonding agent is put over the tooth surface before the application of the sealant material. The bonding agent might vary on the basis of the material used.
  • Now, the sealant material is put directly over the chewing surface of every tooth.
  • Lastly, curing light is used to dry up and harden the sealant.

It is important to note that there must not be any residues present over the tooth to hinder the bond. Hence, the tooth must be well isolated and properly dried up. Before the application of sealant, ozone gas might also be used to eliminate the presence of bacteria in the mouth and around the tooth.

In the case of the presence of a small cavity, the infection must be first removed before the application of sealant with the help of a drill or dental laser.

Do you also wish to keep your teeth protected against cavities? Contact a reputable dental professional in the town and get your dental sealants.

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