It is more beneficial for a dental sealants to be applied before there is decay or a cavity. Because tooth decay is permanent, the sealant does a great job at preventing the tooth from weakening. Every time a cavity is filled, the drilling done weakens a tooth a little more each time. Having a sealant on a tooth as a preventative measure for cavities also saves the tooth from weakening.
Why Dental Sealants are Use
Sealants are capable of protecting a tooth from decay and cavities for up to ten years. It is important for your Tampa dentist to perform frequent check-ups on the sealant to make sure there is minimal wear or chipping. Fortunately, it is easy for a dentist to replace and reseal the sealants as necessary.
It is really easy and minimally invasive to apply a sealant for a tooth. There is no drilling or removal of tooth surface. The tooth and the area around the tooth are cleaned extensively, and then a special gel is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth. After a few seconds, the gel is washed off of the tooth and the tooth is dried. Then, the sealant is applied to the tooth and hardened with a special light. After about a minute, the sealant is hardened and the protective shield is formed.
Surprisingly, sealants are not used frequently, despite their benefits. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “fewer than one-third of children in the United States have sealants on their teeth.” Sealants are both safe and effective, but they are not used frequently due to lack of awareness. The team at North Pointe Dental Associates use this Tampa dental office in hopes of a person having the healthiest teeth possible.
