Keeping your teeth healthy and safe from cavities can be a challenge without the use of modern dentistry. Dental sealants are one of the most used worldwide way of protecting your teeth and protecting from decay and damage. Dental sealants for adults are a thin film-like protective coating to protect the formation of cavities and cover grooves in your dental structure.
It is one of the easiest and painless treatments, and you can enjoy unlimited dental sealants benefits with long-lasting protection. In the article below, we will describe what are dental sealants for adults, and the dental sealants benefits in detail. Also, we will cover their types and expert tips to improve performance and longevity.
Let’s start without wasting any further time and learn about what are dental sealants for adults are and their common dental sealants benefits.
What Are Dental Sealants for Adults, and Why Are They Used?
Dental sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the outer surface of molars and premolars to prevent cavity buildup and decay. These are commonly used for children but are equally useful for adults, especially those who have decay and deep groove issues in their teeth. The sealant is prepared of plastic or resin material that bonds into the tooth’s fissures and pits to create a covering against food particles and plaque. If you are struggling with the following issues with your teeth, you can enjoy the unlimited dental sealants benefits and protect your dental structure.
- Grooves in teeth that trap bacteria
- Enamel wear
- Cavity buildup and plaque
- Dry mouth etc
Common dental sealants benefits:
After understanding what are dental sealants for adults are, it is important to discuss the common dental sealants benefits. You can enjoy the following dental sealants benefits and protect your oral structure against different harmful issues.
- Prevention against cavity buildup
- Elimination of plaque accumulation
- Protection of enamel against acids and bacteria
- Long life span and effectiveness without necessary maintenance
- Ease of oral hygiene and non-invasive solution
- Quick and cost-effective treatment
- Preserves your natural teeth
How to Apply Dental Sealants for Adults:
It is important to learn how to apply dental sealant after fully understanding what are dental sealants for adults is and dental sealants benefits. The process of dental sealant application is described in 5 simple steps below that will help you to get professional results.
Step 1: Teeth Cleaning
Cleaning the teeth is the first step before applying any type of dental sealant. The food debris and bacteria are removed with a professional cleaning to ensure optimal adhesion. A dentist can use an air-polishing device or a rotating brush to clean the molars, premolars, and chewing surfaces. If the debris and cavities are not properly removed, it will reduce the effectiveness of the sealant and its bonding with the tooth.
Step 2: Acid Solution Application
Acidic solution application is the second step after deep cleaning in the process of applying dental sealants for adults. The acidic solution roughens the texture of the enamel surface and itches it to improve adhesion. This process takes about 20 to 30 seconds, and after that time solution is cleared and rinsed off. As you know what are dental sealants, you are well aware of their bonding with tooth surfaces, and this step is crucial for perfect bonding.
Step 3: Drying and Rinsing Teeth
Rinsing and drying the teeth is the next step to remove the remaining acid. In this step, the surface is thoroughly dried with cotton rolls and an air syringe to remove any moisture. A rubber dam or absorbent material can be used between the teeth to prevent them from saliva and properly dry.
Step 4: Painting the Sealant for Adults
After detailed drying and rinsing, the sealant material is carefully applied on the surface of the tooth to create a covering layer. The dentists need to carefully fill all the grooves or pits by applying the sealant with the help of a small applicator brush. The leveling and spreading of sealant material is important to provide full coverage against cavity and decay. The proper application of sealant material ensures the unlimited dental sealants benefits for the patients.
Step 5: Hardening the Dental Sealant
The dental sealants for adults material requires hardening and curing after the application on the surface of teeth. In this process, a blue curing light is used for hardening the newly applied sealant material to ensure proper bonding and durability. Once the hardening process is completed, check the sealant for interference during normal bites. A proper curing and hardening allows the patients to start chewing and eating immediately after the process.
The Basic Types of Dental Sealants:
There are numerous types of dental sealants used in modern dentistry, but we will discuss the most commonly used only.
1. Glass Ionomer Sealants:
These dental sealants for adults are made of offer a unique chemical bond to teeth with a mixture of glass powder and acrylic. These sealants help in strengthening the enamel and prevent decay buildup by releasing fluoride over time. This type of sealant is often used in pediatric dentistry or for patients with a high risk of cavity.
2. Resin Sealants:
If you want to have a strong adhesion and durability, the resin dental sealants benefits you in the right way. They are made of plastic material and hardened with a curing light after being applied in a liquid shape. It is the most effective way of filling deep pits and grooves that are ideal places for bacteria.
3. Compomer Sealants:
This type of dental sealants for adults offers both durability and fluoride release. They offer a perfect balance between cavity protection and adhesion. Compomer sealants are commonly used in minor irregularities and other cases where flexibility is required. As you know about what are dental sealants, learning about their types is easy for you.
4. Fluoride-Releasing Sealants:
These sealants provide an extra layer of protection by releasing fluoride ions. This prevents the decay buildup around the sealed areas of teeth and remineralizes enamel with fluoride release. They are the perfect solution for patients with early signs of demineralization and a high risk of cavities. While they may not last for many years, you can enjoy therapeutic dental sealants benefits with this type.
5. Colored Sealants:
This type of sealant is used to make application easy and sometimes to make it more engaging and eye-catching for children. The wear can be monitored effectively due to the visible color of the sealant. They harden into a clear or natural teeth color after the application for aesthetic and protective dental sealants benefits.
Tips to Enhance the Durability of Your Dental Sealants:
Some expert tips to ensure the longevity and durability of your dental sealants are listed below. You can enjoy unlimited dental sealants benefits by following these expert tips.
- Maintain good oral hygiene
- Don’t chew hard foods immediately
- Follow the check-up schedule to your dentist
- Avoid sticky foods
- Do not drink or smoke
FAQs:
1. Are dental sealants safe?
A: Yes, dental sealants are safe, effective, and approved by dental professionals for cavity prevention without harmful side effects.
2. Can dental sealants be applied over cavities?
Sealants can be applied over early-stage decay to prevent further damage, but not over larger, untreated cavities.
3. Do dental sealants replace fluoride?
No, sealants and fluoride work together. Fluoride strengthens enamel, while dental sealants provide a physical barrier against decay.
Conclusion:
As a professional dentist, you need to understand what are dental sealants for adults is and what standard dental sealants benefits are. If you are struggling with cavities, plaque, pits, or holes within your teeth, dental sealant is the perfect solution for you. You can get top-notch results for your patients by following the above-mentioned steps of dental sealant application. If you want to enhance professional results for every procedure, we highly recommend using Aidite dental products.