Free Dental Directory of Diseases, Aliments and Solutions

Effectiveness Of Sealants:

Sealants are very effective on permanent back teeth, but their effectiveness depends on how well they fill the very narrow, deep grooves of the sides and chewing surfaces of permanent teeth.  They do not coat the entire tooth surface, thus using sealants does not guarantee that teeth will not decay; however, they definitely decrease the chances of problems in the most commonly decayed areas of the back teeth.

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Dental Hygiene - Sealants: 

Sealants are a clear or white plastic that are placed in the grooves of the biting surfaces of back teeth, which have deep grooves and pits that are very difficult to keep clean.  Plaque, which is a nearly invisible film of bacteria and food, collects in these grooves.

In the second illustration above, plaque shows up after it has been stained with red dye.  Each time you eat, the bacteria in plaque forms acid, and without sealants, these acid attacks can cause the enamel to break down and decay, and thus, creating a cavity.

In the third illustration above, shown is the placement of sealants.  First your Dentist thoroughly cleans and dries the teeth.  A conditioning solution is applied, and then the sealant material is brushed into the grooves of the teeth.

Shown in the final illustration above, is the hardening of the sealant with a special light.  Some types of sealants harden on their own, while others harden when exposed to a special light.

Sealants are an important part of a preventive dental care program.

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