Sealants

The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

Dental Sealants in South Barrington

Here’s why you should consider dental sealants in South Barrington. The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Run your tongue over this area in your mouth, and you will feel why: These surfaces are not as smooth as other areas of your teeth are. Instead, they are filled with tiny grooves called “pits and fissures,” which trap bacteria and food particles.

The bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach into these little crevices. This creates the perfect conditions for tooth decay. Moreover, a child’s newly erupted permanent teeth are less decay-resistant than adult teeth. The hard enamel coating that protects the teeth changes as it ages to become stronger.

Fluoride, which you’ll find in toothpaste, drinking water, and treatments provided at the dental office, can strengthen enamel. However, getting fluoride into those pits and fissures regularly takes a lot of work. Dental sealants provide an excellent solution to this problem.

Dental sealants are just one of the many preventative measures we offer at Barrington Smiles. Our skilled dentists and hygienists are committed to providing you with the highest quality dental care possible.

By taking a proactive approach to oral health, you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for years. Please schedule an appointment today to learn how dental sealants or another of our quality dental services in South Barrington, Illinois, can benefit you.

What are dental sealants?

We offer dental sealants as a preventative measure for dental decay. Dental sealants are a thin coating of tooth-colored material that is painted onto the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to protect them from decay. These sealants effectively cover the tiny grooves and crevices where food particles and bacteria can hide, thus preventing cavities from forming. Dental sealants are an affordable, quick, and painless way to preserve your teeth and promote a healthy smile.

How Sealants Are Placed

You can think of a sealant as a mini resin filling, though please reassure your child that it doesn’t “count” as having a cavity filled. Because tooth enamel does not contain nerves, placing a sealant is painless and does not routinely require numbing shots.

Step One: Cleaning the Teeth

The first step in the dental sealant placement process is to clean the teeth that will receive the sealant. This step is crucial because it ensures the teeth are free of debris that could compromise the sealant’s effectiveness. Our dental hygienist will clean the teeth using a scaler or ultrasonic scaler. After thoroughly cleaning your teeth, we’ll rinse them with water and dry them.

Step Two: Applying an Acidic Solution

We apply an acidic solution on the tooth’s surface to ensure the dental sealant adheres to your teeth effectively. This solution creates a rough texture on the tooth’s surface, allowing the sealant to bond more effectively. After applying the acidic solution, we rinse and dry the tooth again.

Step Three: Applying the Sealant

Once the tooth is dry, we will apply the sealant. The dental sealant is a resin material painted onto the tooth’s surface. The sealant flows into all the crevices and fissures of the tooth, creating a barrier that prevents decay from reaching the enamel. After applying the sealant, we can use a special light to cure or harden the sealant.

Step Four: Checking the Placement

Once the sealant has been applied and cured, Dr. Saad will check for the correct sealant placement. He will use an explorer tool to check for areas where the sealant may not have adhered properly. If any areas need to be touched up or additional sealant needs to be applied, we will take care of it during this step.

Step Five: Finishing Up

The final step in the dental sealant placement is to rinse your mouth and ensure you are comfortable with your new sealants. Our dental team will give you instructions on how to care for your teeth in the coming days, and we will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure no issues arise.

BENEFITS OF DENTAL SEALANTS

A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, require more expensive dental treatment later on, or, most importantly, cause your child pain. Sealants are a quick and affordable measure to help prevent more costly and possibly traumatic dental visits (for kids). You can put a sealant on every tooth for about the same amount it would cost to repair one cavity. If you have dental insurance, it can sometimes cover most of the cost for children.

Keep Those Cavities Away

The primary benefit of dental sealants is that they significantly reduce the risk of cavities on your molars and other teeth. This can lead to healthier teeth and gums over the long term. Sealants can also help you save money by reducing the need for costly dental procedures like fillings, root canals, and extractions. Additionally, sealants are beneficial in preventing the need for intensive treatments, such as root canal therapy. Unlike fillings, sealants are a quick and painless procedure that does not require any numbing.

Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are particularly beneficial for kids and teenagers at higher risk of developing cavities. However, adults can also benefit from dental sealants, especially those with deep grooves and pits in their molars or people who are prone to cavities. Dental sealants are typically recommended for children when their permanent molars come in, around age six, and again at age 12, once their second set of molars appear.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

Dental sealants can last up to ten years, but we should check them at your regular dental appointments to ensure they are still intact. Dr. Saad can easily reapply or replace them if necessary. If you take good care of your teeth and regularly visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups, your sealants may last even longer.

Dental Sealants in South Barrington, IL

Are you worried about your teeth? Do you want to do everything you can to protect your pearly whites? Then dental sealants might be the perfect solution for you!

Dental sealants are an excellent way to protect your teeth from cavities and decay, and they are perfect for kids and adults alike. The benefits of getting sealants include long-lasting protection, reduced risk of cavities and gum disease, and cost-effective care.

Applying dental sealants is a quick and painless procedure that we can do during a routine dental visit. First, we thoroughly examine the teeth; if we find any minimal decay, we’ll gently remove it. The tooth will then be cleaned and dried. Then, we’ll apply a solution to slightly roughen or “etch” the surface to make the sealing material adhere better.

We rinse and dry the tooth again and then paint the sealant on the tooth in liquid form. It hardens in about a minute, sometimes with the help of a special curing light. That’s all there is to it!

If you want to look into dental sealants or schedule an appointment to get them, don’t hesitate to contact us at Barrington Smiles. Dr. Milad Saad and his team are here to help you protect your pearly whites and keep your smile shining bright! A beautiful smile starts with a healthy foundation, and that’s why we provide a range of services to meet all of our patients’ needs. For example, our emergency dentistry services will get you the fast relief you need right when needed. Our dental implants will restore the glory of your smile. Reach out to us today to get started!