Dental Sealants
We are dedicated to providing preventative care that ensures the long-term health of your smile. Dental sealants are a simple, effective solution we offer to protect teeth from decay, especially for our younger patients. By forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth, sealants can significantly reduce the potential for tooth decay.
A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth—primarily the back teeth (molars and premolars). These are the areas most susceptible to cavities due to the prevalence of grooves and depressions that can accumulate food particles and bacteria. Once applied, the sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective barrier over the enamel of each tooth.
The Benefits of Dental Sealants
Cavity Prevention: Sealants are highly effective in preventing tooth decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth. By protecting these vulnerable areas, sealants can ward off cavities and the need for future dental fillings.
Long-lasting Protection: Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.
Cost-Effective: The cost of applying sealants is very reasonable, especially when weighed against the cost of treating cavities and tooth decay—which can include fillings, crowns, or root canals.
Ideal for Children and Teenagers: Because of their greater risk for cavities, children and teenagers are ideal candidates for sealants. However, adults can benefit from sealants as well.
Who Should Get Dental Sealants?
While children and teens are the primary candidates for dental sealants, adults can also benefit from them, especially if they have deep grooves and depressions in their molars and premolars and no existing decay or fillings. Children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. This way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.
The process of applying sealants is quick, painless, and can be completed in a single visit to our office:
- Cleaning: The teeth that will be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
- Preparation: Each tooth is then dried, and an absorbent material is placed around it to keep it dry.
- Application: The sealant is then applied onto the enamel surface of the tooth and is hardened using a special light.
Protect Your Smile with Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are an excellent preventive measure that can save time, money, and the discomfort of dental treatments in the future. Call (717) 763-5588 or visit our Contact Page schedule an appointment at East Main Street Dental today to determine if sealants are right for you or your child. Let us help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile with this simple and effective treatment!
Contact Information:
East Main Street Dental
205 East Main St.
Shiremanstown, PA 17011
Phone: 717-763-5588
Office Hours:
Mon: 9 AM – 5 PM
Tues: 8 AM – 4 PM
Wed: 8 AM – 6 PM
Thurs: 8 AM – 5 PM