
Since the 1960s, dentists have used dental sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth (particularly in pediatric patients) from plaque and bacteria that often lead to cavities.
Children without sealants develop almost three times as many cavities in their first molars as children with sealants. At Smile Center for Kids, we recommend dental sealants in El Paso for all healthy molars (adult and baby molars) and bicuspids.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Sealants are a protective layer of clear, BPA-free plastic that can be brushed onto the chewing surfaces of teeth to seal out harmful, cavity-causing bacteria. This tooth sealant material covers the pits and crevices in the molars that can be difficult to keep clean.
We can easily apply sealants in the course of a regular dental check-up. It is a quick and completely painless preventive dental service. We do this in eight easy steps.
- Preparing the tooth: first, we clean the surface of the tooth to ensure that no plaque is trapped underneath the sealant.
- Isolating the tooth: we use cotton rolls and shields to keep any saliva away from the tooth, as saliva can weaken the bond between the sealant and the tooth enamel.
- Etching the tooth: we gently etch the chewing surface of the tooth so that the enamel will receive the sealant material more effectively.
- Rinsing and drying the tooth: we rinse the etching material away and dry the tooth completely.
- Applying the sealant: we mix and apply the sealant to the tooth’s surface using a small brush tip
- Curing the sealant: we use a special light to harden the sealant material.
- Cleaning up: we wipe and rinse the tooth.
- Checking our work: finally, we make sure there is complete coverage and without any bubbles in the material. If a bubble exposes tooth enamel, we may add more sealant material.
Why Would My Child Need Sealants?
How Long Will Sealants Last?
Do Dental Sealants In El Paso Really Prevent Cavities in Children?
Sealants are incredibly effective at reducing the risk of childhood tooth decay. 90% of cavities in childhood occur in the permanent back teeth, and sealants have been shown to protect against 80% of these cavities for the first two years after they are applied and 50% for up to four years. They are especially helpful for children with a weakness for sweets and/or difficulty with brushing their teeth.
That doesn’t mean brushing and flossing are any less important; sealants don’t cover the entire tooth, so good oral hygiene habits are still critical for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.