Understanding Dental Sealants and How They Work
Hi everyone, my name is Urwah. I'm a dental hygienist here at New York Dental & Implant Center. We get quite a lot of questions about dental sealants. I'm here to answer some of those questions for you.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a thin layer applied to your chewing surface that prevents bacteria and cavities from getting deeper in. It also prevents food from sticking in the grooves. It's really cool.
How do dental sealants work?
For someone who has very deep grooves on the chewing surface of their teeth, they fill some of those grooves just a little so food doesn't get trapped, bacteria doesn't stick, and it prevents a lot of cavities.
What are the different types of dental sealants?
There are two major types of dental sealants: glass ionomer and resin-based, which is what we use here. Resin base is more durable, while glass ionomer releases fluoride slowly.
How are dental sealants applied to teeth?
The process is actually pretty quick. We clean off the chewing surface of the tooth, ensuring there's no food or debris inside. We etch the tooth, creating micro tears for the sealant to adhere, and then we place the sealant and cure it with a blue light. Then you're done.
How soon can I brush my teeth after getting dental sealants?
Technically, you can brush them immediately afterward. I do say avoid sticky or chewy foods because the sealants can pop off. Just to be on the safe side, I tell my patients to wait an hour to do anything, but immediately afterward is fine.
How long do dental sealants protect teeth?
It all depends on the person. If you chew a lot of sticky or crunchy foods, they can fall off faster, but a lot of times they can last up to 7 years.
Can dental sealants help with sensitive teeth?
They can actually help. If you have what we call incipient caries, very small starting cavities not big enough to fill yet, they can cause sensitivity in some patients when chewing down because they are on the chewing surfaces. When we seal, we prevent bacteria from getting worse and stuff from getting in, causing more sensitivity. So yes, they can help.
Can you get dental sealants if you have fillings or tooth decay?
No. If you have decay, you don't want to seal it in. It'll get worse, and that defeats the purpose.
How much does it cost to get a dental sealant applied to my teeth?
A lot of times it is covered by insurance. If you have a child, check with your insurance provider or give us a call to see if they are covered fully. If not, we offer them here out of pocket at $52 per tooth.
How can I schedule an appointment to have dental sealants applied to my teeth?
If you have an appointment with us already, you can bring it up to your provider and we can discuss your options. If you are just interested in the sealant portion, give us a call at (607) 400-8967 and we can get you on the schedule to meet with a doctor and then have your sealants done right afterward.
I hope I've been able to answer some of your questions about sealants. If you have any other questions, feel free to give us a call at (607) 400-8967, or schedule below!