Dental Sealants
Dr. Forbes Morse has been practicing dentistry in Phoenix since October 2004. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of California at Irvine and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1996. In 1997, Dr. Morse received his Masters in Public Health from the Medical College of Virginia/ VCU. He then went on... more
Over 80% of all childhood cavities occur on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Bacteria settle here and use food particles to create cavity-causing acid. Sealants are thin coatings of resin applied to the chewing surfaces of these back teeth. They act as a physical barrier to prevent bacteria and food from collecting in the grooves and fissures. Sealants are usually applied to the permanent first molars which erupt around the age of 6 and second molars, erupting around the age of 12. It's important to have the sealants applied as soon as these teeth erupt. Even if the sealant is lost, the material which has penetrated the enamel continues to provide protection. They're easily replaced if lost and are nearly 100% effective in preventing decay.
Foods that stay in the mouth for long periods of time, such as sucking on lollipops or sipping juice, give the bacteria (plaque) present in the mouth more time to produce acid that causes tooth decay.
Dental sealants are one of the most effective innovations of modern dentistry. Yet they remain the least known and the least utilized. Applied during a simple, short procedure, sealants dramatically reduce childhood cavities. During the application, your dentist will first thoroughly clean the teeth. The tooth surfaces will then be prepared for application and a thin (tooth-color) resin will be painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth to receive treatment. The procedure is quick and painless. Sealants can last anywhere from 4 to 5 years and can easily be reapplied should they fall off.
