What are Dental Sealants and How Long do They Last?

by | Aug 12, 2014

City Dental Centers wants to help you understand teeth sealants, how they are applied, whether you are a good candidate for sealants, and just how long sealants will last. Sealants are an important step in good tooth maintenance. We want you to understand dental sealants so you can see how they may help improve your oral health.

City Dental Centers of California is determined to educate patients on the dental sealant process, so you can consider this application for your oral hygiene maintenance. So if you’re asking yourself “What are dental sealants?”, read on.

What are Dental Sealants?

So, what are dental sealants exactly? A dental sealant, also known as teeth sealant, is pain-free and the rewards of having a sealant on your teeth are numerous and quite beneficial. It is not an expensive or lengthy process. A dentist or a dental hygienist can apply the sealant. A sealant is a plastic coating applied thinly on the tooth/teeth’s surface where contact is made while chewing. A sealant is usually applied to the molars and premolars near the back of your mouth.

These areas are prone to food build-up, plaque, and decay. It is difficult to get back in the small nooks and crannies of your molar area while brushing or flossing. No matter how vigilant you are when brushing and flossing, it is almost impossible to get every single area clean and free of food particles. The sealant bonds to the form and shape of each tooth including all of the creases and all of the grooves of your molars. This seal prevents food and plaque from getting to and around your teeth creating an environment ripe for decay, cavities, and infections.

Dental Sealant Application

When you go in for your sealant appointment, the dentist or dental hygienist will first clean your teeth thoroughly. Each tooth will then be dried with an air hose tool. It is important that the teeth are completely dry before the process begins. Once the teeth are prepped for sealant application, the steps for the procedure are as follows:

  • A solution of acid is put on the pre-molar and molar teeth chewing area. This will roughen the teeth for a complete sealant bonding.
  • The dentist or the hygienist will then rinse and thoroughly air-dry the teeth again.
  • The sealant is then applied via a dental paintbrush to the chewing area.
  • The sealant bonds quickly and very tightly.
  • Your dentist or dental hygienist may use a light process for complete hardening.

This pain-free process only takes a few minutes, but the results of a teeth sealant are valuable and long-lasting.

When and Where are Teeth Sealants Applied? 

A sealant usually is applied to the molars and pre-molars. Live Well Dental Health explains what molars and pre-molars are and where they are located, “Located right next to your canine teeth (the pointy ones) are your premolars (also called bicuspid teeth). You have eight premolars in total, four on your top jaw and four on the bottom. They are bigger and wider than your incisors and canine teeth and are used for crushing and grinding food. You have eight molars, four on top and four on the bottom. These are your strongest teeth and work with your tongue to help you swallow food, mashing it up until it’s ready to be swallowed safely.”

Because these teeth perform such an important function, it is important that they are healthy and cavity-free. To keep children’s teeth clean, plaque-free, and cavity-free, the sealant should be applied during the years of age six to 14. These years produce the most cavities due to plaque and lack of brushing. The sealant will help keep the teeth cavity-free and healthy. Healthy molars and pre-molars are very important to the overall functionality of your teeth.

It is not unusual for a dentist or dental hygienist to put a sealant on baby teeth if it is deemed necessary. Baby teeth play a major role in keeping the spacing correct for future permanent teeth. A sealant will help the teeth stay healthy, so the spacing will not be compromised. Poor spacing will result in crooked teeth that could result in future costly orthodontic work.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Sealant?

Children and teenagers are the best candidates for a sealant application. If an adult does not have any existing decay or fillings for cavities, then they aren’t usually a sealant prospect. Talk to your dentist from City Dental Centers to see if you are a good sealant prospect.

How Long Will a Sealant Last?

Teeth are so important and they are one of the first things people see when they meet you. A big smile with bright white teeth is a beautiful thing. Do not ignore your molars or pre-molars simply because they are at the back of your mouth area. Out of sight should not be out of mind. It is very important that they are taken care of by you. Always brush several times a day, get regular checkups, floss daily, and have preventive maintenance. Any dental problems or concerns should be handled immediately.

Sealant is a preventive measure. If you take this preventive measure, then the odds are great that you will maintain your healthy and strong molars and pre-molars. Healthy teeth can go about the business of doing their jobs. Once you have the sealant application, you will be happy to know, that it can last for up to ten years. For ten years, your back teeth are protected from decay, plaque, and trapped food particles. If your regular dentist check-up reveals chipping, worn, or compromised sealant, then the sealant can be re-applied, as it is needed.

City Dental Centers

The staff at City Dental Centers can answer any questions or concerns you might have about dental sealants, the application process, who is considered a good candidate, and how long it will last. You will find the application is painless, affordable, quick, and it can give you peace of mind concerning your teeth. We want to help you, to answer your questions, and to make your smile the brightest and healthiest that it can be (Check out this infographic about first impressions and your smile). Contact us today.

Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California

Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California. We even have a dedicated children’s dentist office, City Dental Kids & Braces, to cater to the special physical and emotional needs of children.

Whether you need checkups, x-rays, braces, bonding, teeth whitening, sealants, oral cancer screenings, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, or tooth extraction, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.

Contact The Nearest Dentist to You

Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in AzusaCoronaLake ForestMontclairPico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!

Dentist in Azusa, CA

Location: 483 S. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 966-3400

Dentist in Corona, CA

Location: 161 McKinley St. STE 102, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 737-3746

Dentist in Lake Forest, CA

Location: 24602 Raymond Way #210, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 461-5800

Dentist in Montclair, CA

Location: 5182 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: (909) 295-3477

Dentist in Pico Rivera, CA

Location: 9400 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: (562) 949-2526

Dentist in West Covina, CA

Location: 154 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-1722