Dental Sealants Materials and Functions

There is a pattern of avoiding regular visits to the dentist out of fear and then having complex issues to solve. The more time you spend skipping a dental checkup or professional cleanings, the more your dental health deteriorates.

Preventive dentistry can help you if you have a fear of anesthesia, dental implants, or root canal treatment. When you brush your teeth correctly twice or thrice a day and use dental floss, and mouthwash, you are putting yourself one step ahead of tooth decay and cavities.

Going to the dentist does not have to mean complicated procedures and finding out you need to get rid of a molar due to cavities.

What Are the Ingredients in the Various Dental Sealant Materials?

Dentistry is a science in continuous change. Dental experts always try to work with state-of-the-art materials and procedures to ensure better results.

People used to think dental sealants were just for kids, but adult patients can benefit from preventive dentistry as well. Tooth decay is still a risk when we are older. If you worry about dental implants or painful cavities, dental sealants can help you a lot.

A dental sealant is an artificial and transparent coat to add an extra layer of protection, especially on molars, because they are harder to clean. The back of your front teeth is another common area to apply dental sealants. This procedure is pain-free and easy.

Dental sealants are not what they used to be fifty years ago. Now we have more resistant and discreet than ever before. There are different mixtures dentists prepare for you, and composite resin is the most common; glass ionomer is a preparation with similar benefits that some patients and doctors prefer.

While both materials are similar, they serve different specific needs.

Composite Resin

The dental sealants doctors prepare with composite resin are versatile and resistant. This is the best option for most adult patients.

Your doctor will create composite resin with parts of both ceramic and plastic. This mixture can have the color of your teeth, so nobody notices you have it.

Composite resin sealants repel water, preventing it from attaching to your teeth. What makes this sealant material perfect for permanent teeth is that it can last up to a decade. So you go to your dental visit one day to get your dental sealants and can forget about them for the next ten years!

However, children can also have composite resin sealants as soon as their permanent teeth are out. It’s not like baby teeth can’t have this type of resin, but there are better options more suitable for them since their teeth won’t last ten years.

Your dentist will apply the fluid coating to your molars, and then they need to harden with a special light.

Glass Ionomer

Glass ionomer is a better alternative to applying dental sealants on primary teeth. They last considerably less than resin sealants, but they provide fluoride protection to your teeth for as long as they are in your mouth. GI sealants (glass ionomer) still last for years, though.

Fluoride reduces the chances of having dental cavities and fractured teeth because it strengthens the tooth’s enamel.

No special light is needed with this type of material, which makes it quicker and easier to apply, another perfect quality for kids.

The name ‘glass ionomer’ is deceiving since this type of sealant is commonly made of aluminum-silicate and polymeric acid. But there is more than one class of glass ionomer mixture. Some preparations contain other ingredients to fit specific characteristics.

Should I Be Worried About Dental Sealants Materials?

Since children are the first to get dental sealants, parents worry about their safety. But scientists have proven dental sealants are trustworthy and highly beneficial for your dental health.

They are chemical, but that fact does not necessarily imply toxicity. The chances of developing allergies against dental sealants are very low.

People also fear the presence of BPA (Bisphenol A), which is a chemical compound, but the possibility of finding it in the polymeric acids dentist use in sealants is minuscule.

You and your children will benefit from this dental procedure which can save you a lot of headaches and worries related to tooth decay.

Additional Dental Care

Dental sealants are not the only preventive treatment Buckhead Dentistry can provide for your teeth.

Fluoride treatments are highly beneficial as well. This is another one of those treatments that patients think only children can get, but there is no reason why adult teeth can’t benefit from this procedure.

As with dental sealants, the application of fluoride treatment is painless and quick. The treatment involves biting a pair of trays soaked in fluoride.

Apart from all these, dental examinations and professional cleaning are paramount to preventing poor oral health and tooth loss. Take care of yourself by periodically visiting your doctor.

Where to Find Preventative Dentistry in Atlanta?

You and your family can get your dental sealants at our dental office Buckhead Dentistry (Cosmetic & Family), in Atlanta.

Preventative treatment in Atlanta is our mission, though we offer dental implants, X-Rays, and orthodontics.

Cosmetic treatments from real dental experts can be hard to find, but we have porcelain veneers here in Atlanta.

Make an appointment and let our team of experts take a look at all your dental needs!