Dental Sealants in Colorado Springs, CO

Dental sealants are a proactive choice for preserving the health of your teeth, especially in areas prone to cavities. This preventive measure significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay in vulnerable areas, contributing to cavity prevention and long-term oral health. While 4 in 10 children ages 6 to 11 have dental sealants on their teeth, our goal is to increase this number by educating parents and guardians about their benefits.

At the Mini Dental Implant Center of America, we offer dental sealants as a part of our general dentistry treatment range.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are like tiny shields for your teeth. They are protective coatings applied to the top of the teeth. By covering the tooth’s grooves, they prevent bacteria from accumulating in the tooth. Sealants are typically applied to molars and premolars since they are more susceptible to cavities. Sealants are primarily made from a special type of plastic resin. The resin is biocompatible, meaning it’s safe for your mouth.

The main purpose of dental sealants is to prevent cavities. Our back teeth have a lot of grooves and depressions, and it’s easy for food particles and bacteria to get stuck there. Even with good brushing, sometimes it’s hard to clean every nook and cranny. That’s where sealants come in. They fill in and smooth out these grooves, making it much harder for cavities to develop.

Who Can Benefit From Dental Sealants?

Anyone can benefit from sealants, but they are generally recommended for children when their permanent molars come in, typically between the ages of 6 and 12. This treatment is especially beneficial for children as it makes cleaning and maintaining the teeth easier, helping kids achieve independence in their oral health routine.

Still, sealants are a wise treatment for anyone prone to cavities. For teenagers and adults, they serve as a preventive strategy to protect teeth that have not yet been affected by decay or fillings.

The Process

Dental sealants are a simple yet effective treatment for protecting teeth from decay, especially in hard-to-clean areas. Whether you’re a parent considering sealants for your child or an adult looking to preserve your oral health, our team is here to provide tailored care and advice. When you visit for a routine exam, we may recommend dental sealants. If so, here’s what you can expect:

• Cleaning: We begin the process by cleaning the surface of the tooth. It is important to remove any food particles or plaque hiding in the grooves before applying the coating.
• Preparing the tooth: Next, we will apply a mild etching solution to the tooth. This solution gently roughens the surface, allowing a strong bond to form between the tooth and the sealant.
• Rinsing and drying: Once the etching solution has done its job, we rinse it off and dry the tooth thoroughly to prepare it for the sealant application.
• Applying the sealant: The sealant material is carefully painted onto the tooth enamel. It flows into and fills the tiny grooves and fissures in the tooth’s surface.
• Curing the coating: We use a special curing light to harden the sealant. This process takes only a few minutes, but it’s essential for setting the sealant firmly in place.

Frequently Asked Questions