Tooth Sealants

What is tooth sealant?

It is a substance that is applied to the teeth ‘biting surface to protect the tooth from decay.

How does sealant work?

The sealant is applied to the biting surface of the tooth. It fills deep grooves and dimples on the surface of the tooth, which cannot be cleaned with a toothbrush and is like a reservoir for a variety of cardiac-inducing bacteria. Closing these sites with sealant reduces the risk of developing caries, as sealant creates a barrier between the tooth and an adverse environment.

At what age and for which teeth?

The tooth on which the sealant is planned to be placed must be fully healthy and “hatched.” The sealants shall not be placed on a tooth affected by caries or on a tooth the biting surface of which has already been sealed.

Most often, silants are applied to children’s teeth. The ideal time for applying silants is:

1. 3-4 years of age when they can be applied to milk teeth,
2. at the age of 6-7 on the first permanent potions,
3. aged 11-13 on the other permanent side teeth.

Sealants can also be applied to adult teeth if they are at high risk of caries, increased rates of sugar use, xerostomy (dry mouth) from medication or radiotherapy. (Norman O. Harris, 2014).

Application of sealant – step by step

1. The first step is to select the tooth to which the sealant will be applied.
2. The surface of the tooth should be completely clean before applying the sealant. For this purpose, with polish paste, the tooth is brushed off the lining, then rinsed with water.
3. The surface of the tooth should be dry because silant is a hydrophobe. Lignin rolls or suitcase rubber are used to provide a dry environment.
4. The tooth is treated with phosphoric acid for a few seconds, thus increasing the surface area.
5. Then a careful rinsing of the tooth surface with water and air drying follow.
6. Sealant is applied to the dimples and grooves of the tooth.
7. It takes 20 seconds to enlighten the sealant with a polymerisation lamp to harden.
8. The sealant is then checked for obstruction of the bite.

How long have sealants been protecting their teeth?

Keeping a close eye on your oral health and following daily hygiene habits can keep sealants in service for years.

Reminds me that a baby should visit a dental hygienist once a half-year, then he can also assess whether he or she needs to renew the silant.

The application of sealants is not paid for by the State!