I have been asked by several patients recently if they were candidates for adult sealants. I have been very proactive when it comes to placing adult sealants for years. Sealants are a great way to treat teeth that look cavity prone because of deep grooves or staining. Typically, sealants are placed on molar and pre molar teeth because they are the hardest to clean, most chewing is done on their surfaces, and they do not have the advantage of a salivary flow to clean them naturally because they are so far back in the mouth.
Typically, sealants are placed on children that have all their permanent molars and pre molars. Sealants are a type of plastic coating placed in the groove of the tooth. This coating prevents bacteria and food from getting inside the groove of the chewing surface of the tooth, which is where about 90% of cavities begin. Sealants are 100% effective when they are maintained at your routine cleaning.
Even though sealants are regularly placed in children, they last for about 10-12 years, then should be replaced. This means that most adults should have them as well, and even though most insurances do not cover them, it is an investment in your health that will last for many years.
If the idea of having a cavity and a filling done is not something you are extremely concerned about, then look at it this way: A sealant will cost less than 50% of what it would cost you to have a filling done. Typically, sealants cost anywhere from $30-$55, while a filling on a back tooth can cost in the range of $140-$200. So not only are you saving the structure of your tooth from being drilled away, but you are saving some money in your wallet as well!
Sealants are placed by first cleaning off the tooth it will be placed on. Once this is done, a white plastic material is placed on the tooth, sort of like a white filling material. this material then has a light shined on it to make sure that it will stay in place for many years to come. That’s it! No drilling, no needles, and most importantly, this only takes about three or four minutes to do! It couldn’t be easier or more time efficient.
If you would like to learn a little more about adult sealants, the ADA website has what is called a “Dental Minute” in which they address the benefits of having them done. Follow this link and scroll down about halfway throught the page and click on the adult sealants video under the “Adults and Dentistry” section.
As always, if you are interested in learning even more about sealants, feel free to give me a call. I’d be more than happy to talk about this subject, or about any dental problems or concerns you may be having. Here at the Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, we are committed to making sure you have a healthy smile that will last you a lifetime!
Tags: adult sealants, Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, collegeville, sealant
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