BRENT CAPLE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY IN ROGERS, AR
Sealants
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are coatings applied to tooth enamel in order to smooth and reduce bumps and grooves. Dental sealants can be made of dental resins, plastic, or ceramic.
Why are dental sealants necessary?
Dental sealants are a safe and effective treatment to protect teeth against decay.
Teeth have natural bumps and grooves of different depths and shapes, especially molars. Most of the time, a toothbrush can effectively reach into all the crevices or grooves in a tooth. However, some teeth have deeper grooves that are difficult for toothbrushes to clean effectively, making those teeth at higher risk for cavities. In addition, teeth are subjected to a 20-minute acid attack every time sugary foods are eaten, causing an erosive action that can break down healthy enamel. By reducing hidden crevices and by covering and protecting your teeth from acids produced by food particles and bacteria, dental sealants effectively reduce the risk of cavities.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control says that having dental sealants can decrease tooth decay risk by approximately 80% for 2 years after application and 50% over the next 4 years. Although they can help patients of any age, Dr. Caple highly recommends dental sealants for school aged children at the time their molars come in.
What is the process of getting dental sealants?
Dental sealants can be applied quickly and painlessly at the office of pediatric dentist, Brent Caple, DDS, in Rogers, Arkansas. The application process includes cleaning the teeth, then applying an acidic gel that prepares the surface of the teeth to bond well with the sealants.
After rinsing and drying, the sealants are “painted on” to the bumps and grooves of the teeth. The sealants are then hardened by a special blue-violet light in a matter of seconds and immediately begin protecting your teeth.
What kind of aftercare is normal after receiving dental sealant?
There is no aftercare required for dental sealants. Patients may simply feel a slight difference in their bite or tooth surface after the application of a sealant. Within a few days, any excess sealant that does not bond with the tooth enamel will wear off naturally and leave the sealant only in the pits and fissures of the tooth where the sealant was applied.
Dr. Caple will check the sealants at each exam and recommend replacing any sealants as needed.
It is important to note that the use of sealants does not eliminate the need for regular attention to dental care.
To learn more about dental sealants for children and to schedule an appointment at the office of pediatric dentist, Dr. Brent Caple, please request an appointment online or call our office today. Dr. Caple’s pediatric dental clinic in Rogers, Arkansas, serves families across Northwest Arkansas. We are always accepting new patients, and look forward to partnering with you to help your child enjoy a lifetime of oral and dental health.
To schedule an appointment at the office of Brent Caple, DDS, pediatric dentist serving Northwest Arkansas, request an appointment online or call our office today.