Dental Sealants in New York City
One of the most common dental diseases in adults and especially in children, is caries. It is well known that proper brushing of teeth, regular visits to the dentist, and taking fluoride-containing drugs can reduce the risk of developing the disease. However, there are cases when the generally accepted methods of preventing caries are insufficient. Then the dentists of iSmile Dental use a special substance – a sealant for teeth.
The procedure of sealing fissures makes it possible to prevent caries. Such methods of protecting chewing teeth from the action of cariogenic bacteria can save molars from destruction. If the procedures for sealing the grooves of the teeth are not performed, then bacteria will multiply in them over time. This leads to a further increase in the size of fissures, porosity of the enamel, and softening of the walls of the dental surface. So caries gradually destroys the tooth, and a person risks losing it.
Indication for sealing fissures
- Fissures are not significantly cleaned of plaque during professional teeth cleaning.
- The structure of the fissures does not allow you to clean them at home with a toothbrush.
- On the surface of the molars in the fissure region, pigmentation has formed, and softened tissues are noted.
- Caries of permanent chewing teeth. In this case, sealing fissures is carried out after therapeutic measures to remove caries.
Sealing the fissures of the teeth is not a mandatory universal preventive measure for caries. If the patient has shallow and well-mineralized fissures, then in this case, sealing the grooves on the molars is not necessary.
Contraindication
- In the fissures of the tooth, there are no signs of caries and visible hard deposits.
- The tooth has not yet fully erupted.
- Some anatomical and physiological features of the patient's oral emptiness. For example, it is not possible to isolate the tooth from saliva.
- The patient neglects hygienic measures.
- In the zone of problem grooves, a filling has already been installed.
- There is not enough fluoride in the patient's diet.
- The patient has caries. First, you need to get rid of the pathology.
Sealing of fissures in children
Often parents have a dismissive attitude to the milk teeth of children. Many mistakenly believe that the caries of milk teeth are not so terrible because milk teeth will fall out, and permanent ones will grow instead.
Caries is a dangerous pathology not only for adults but also for children. With this pathology, the child will be a frequent patient at the dentist's, which causes psychological discomfort. On the other hand, caries of primary teeth negatively affect the formation of permanent teeth. Therefore, in childhood, caries should be fought.
Today, dentists agree that sealing fissures, if necessary, is advisable to carry out for primary teeth in children. At the same time, it is recommended to carry out the procedure for three months from the moment of an eruption of molars and premolars.
Sealants and features of its use
Dental sealants are a substance that is applied to the surface of the teeth to protect them from bacteria and, thereby, prevent the development of caries. Most often, the procedure is prescribed to children aged 6-12 years; adult patients need sealants less often.
The sealant in iSmile Dental is a polymer composite-based substance applied to small and large molars. As a rule, this substance covers only the chewing surface and, more specifically - fissures (depressions on the tooth surface). As a result of sealing, the tooth acquires a thin but very durable polymer coating. This coating allows you to monitor the condition of the enamel. This will enable you to protect the enamel from the damaging effects of acids and plaque. To create a protective layer, a transparent or white substance is used to make the sealant completely invisible. Transparent ones are usually used on the so-called doubtful teeth concerning carious damage.
Applying a dental sealant is a simple and painless procedure. The dentist applies the substance to the tooth's previously cleaned and acid-treated surface. Then it acts on the coating with light radiation of a specific spectrum, resulting in the substance binding to the enamel and hardening. At this stage, it resembles a lacquer or hard plastic coating.
What is essential, the sealing of the teeth persists for many years, and if necessary, the protective substance can be reapplied. However, it should be borne in mind that this procedure is not suitable for damaged and previously filled teeth.
faq
Why cover your teeth with a sealant?
One of the ways to prevent caries is to seal the teeth in children. This dental procedure protects hard-to-clean areas of molars and premolars from destruction by harmful bacteria.
How is a sealant different from a seal?
The main difference between a sealant and a filling is the composition of the sealant, which includes calcium, fluorine, and other elements that nourish the tooth. In other words, sealing fissures in children is the closure of dental indentations with materials useful for teeth.
How much can not be eaten after sealing the tooth?
The sealant is a light material, so after the procedure, there are no restrictions on food intake, and even more so on brushing your teeth.
How often do fissure sealings?
The standard timing of the sealing of fissures in children is: from 2.5 to 3 years – with the appearance of 4-5 milk teeth; from 5 to 6 years – after the complete eruption of molars and premolars; from 11 to 13 years – after the appearance of permanent molars.
Why are the fissures black?
As a rule, fissures have pigment; they visually manifest themselves in a dark color. Such depressions are not a pathology but can cause the development of a carious process (especially at a young age, when the enamel of the teeth is not sufficiently mineralized).
Is it possible not to treat fissured caries?
In appearance, it may seem that caries has practically not affected the tooth, but a sizeable carious cavity may hide under a thin black stripe. If you neglect the treatment of fissure caries, it will lead to infection of the dental nerve (pulpitis).
What is missing in the body with caries?
Lack of calcium often leads to poor tooth development, gum disease, and tooth decay. Vitamin D deficiency causes a burning sensation in the mouth. Symptoms of this chronic disease are pain and burning in the mouth, numbness, dry mouth, and change in taste.
What is very harmful to teeth?
Eight harmful products for teeth:
- lump sugar;
- cookie;
- sweets (caramel, iris);
- raisin;
- white bread;
- chocolate (especially milk);
- chocolate waffles;
- sponge cake.
What fruits do not harm the teeth?
Tough vegetables and fruits (carrots, apples, cucumbers, beets). Just a couple of hard vegetables or fruits a day – and your gums are provided with a good massage, and your teeth – getting rid of deposits. In addition, such vegetables stimulate the release of saliva, constantly washing the oral cavity and reducing the number of microbes and bacteria.
How often is the fissure sealed?
The doctor assesses the degree of abrasion of the sealant at a preventive examination carried out every six months. Depending on the results of the test, the doctor recommends re-sealing. Sealed coatings last on the teeth from 1 to 3 years, depending on many factors.
