Sealants Aren’t Just For Kids

At Artistic Touch Dentistry, we offer dental sealants if you are considering sealants for yourself or your child. The application of dental sealants can reduce occlusal pit and fissure caries, ultimately improving the oral health of patients.  Dental sealants are the most cost-effective caries preventive measure for pits and fissures due to their one-time application process.

Dimensions of Dental Health reported that, “even though occlusal surfaces make up 12% of the tooth surfaces in the mouth, the pits and fissures are approximately eight times more vulnerable than smooth surfaces. These are the ideal teeth to place sealants to prevent cavities from occurring. Streptococcus mutans, the dominant member of the plaque flora responsible for decay, uses the tooth’s pits and fissures as a niche for multiplying and producing large amounts of acids capable of destroying tooth structure. When sealants are applied and become hard they form a physical barrier between the tooth and any invading bacterial species. This ultimately prevents colonization by caries-causing bacteria.”

Although many people only consider children candidates for dental sealants, adults benefit from them as well. Sealants help prevent loss of tooth structure in adults. Tooth structure is lost every time a tooth is filled or a filling is replaced, which occurs every 6 to 8 years. Dental sealants are 100% effective in reducing tooth decay as long as they remain intact. They are a painless, effective, and safe long lasting and cost effective treatment. 95% of all people will eventually have a cavity in the pit or grooves of their teeth and sealants can help prevent this!

If you are considering dental sealants then give us a call to set up an appointment today!