Cavity Prevention Among Children And Teenagers Is Convenient With Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the occlusal surfaces of the back teeth. Application of dental sealants to the lingual surfaces of the front teeth is also possible. Dental sealants prevent food particles, acids, and bacteria from entering the tooth surfaces. The thin coating forms a protective barrier as a safe, effective method of preventing cavities.

If your kid has developed permanent teeth and is not affected by any dental issue, you can research a dentist near me to have dental sealants applied on their permanent teeth. Adults can also consider having dental sealants on their back molars so long as they are not affected by any cavities. Dental sealants in Bloomfield are generally applied to permanent teeth that haven’t developed any holes. Baby teeth are also recipients of dental sealants, but the practice is not shared.

When Should Children or Teenagers Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are most useful to prevent cavities in children’s newly erupted permanent teeth. The teeth include the molars, premolars, and first and second molars. The sooner sealants are applied, the better. A child’s first molar emerges around age six and the second around age 12. However, children over 13 are also suitable candidates for dental sealants.

Adults are also candidates for dental sealants because many have deeper grooves in their back teeth, putting them at a higher risk of tooth decay. These surfaces in the mouth’s posterior region are challenging to reach for cleaning with a traditional toothbrush. In such cases, dentists recommend dental sealants to prevent cavities from developing.

What Is the Material Used during Dental Sealant Application?

Two types of sealant material are presently available to protect your teeth. They are glass ionomer and composite resin, depending on the reaction occurring when the sealants are applied to the teeth.

• Glass Ionomer sealants go through an acid-base reaction when applied to a patient’s teeth. The Bloomfield pediatric dentist generally uses this variety on primary teeth. The bonds release fluoride helping to strengthen the tooth enamel for many years.
• The application of composite resin sealants happens with a dental curing light. This variety consists of plastic compounds and ceramic blending in with the color of your natural teeth.

What Are the Costs of Having Dental Sealants?

The cost of every type of sealant material varies and depends on you have dental insurance or not. You may have to pay $ 30-$ 75 per tooth for glass ionomer sealants without insurance. Composite resin dental fillings also cost a similar figure without insurance. However, it is an affordable way to prevent cavities on children’s teeth that may require intensive and expensive treatments from dentists.

Which Sealant Material Must You Choose for Your Child?

When you visit the pediatric dentist near me to inquire about the sealants, it helps discuss the pros and cons of both varieties’ sealant material. However, if you haven’t gathered the information, rest assured we have the pros and cons of composite resin and glass ionomer sealants mentioned below for your reference.

Pros of Dental Sealant Materials

• Dental sealants from glass ionomer release fluoride, making them incredibly practical to reduce tooth decay chances by around 35 percent. The antibacterial properties of fluoride help to strengthen the teeth. This variety tends to leak over time after mineralizing tooth enamel. Glass ionomer blends well with the surrounding teeth’ natural color.
• Composite resin materials are durable and protect against dental caries for many years. The retention rate is higher than glass ionomers and can remain on the teeth for up to 10 years with proper dental hygiene.

The Cons of Dental Sealant Materials

• Glass ionomer sealants are not as durable as composite resin and require maintenance frequently. They offer better protection to teeth than composite resin but may prove expensive in the long run because of their frequent maintenance charges.
• The primary disadvantage of composite resin dental sealants is the lack of acid bonding properties that do not release any fluoride. When the bonds wear down ultimately, they no longer offer protection against cavities like glass ionomer does even after wearing down.

Now that you understand the types, costs, and pros and cons of each variety of dental sealants, you must be in a better position to make an informed decision for your child. You can request either type of sealant material from dental sealants in Bloomfield and keeping in mind that both varieties of protection against cavities for your child’s teeth.