Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that protect teeth surfaces from decay. Since children are highly susceptible to cavities, pediatric dentists often recommend sealants to protect molars and premolars upon eruption. If you are considering this preventive treatment for your child, read on to learn more about the pros and cons of dental sealants.

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay is one of the most common oral problems pediatric dentists treat. It results from oral bacteria converting sugars in the mouth into acids that damage teeth. These microorganisms also form plaque, a sticky film that coats teeth and houses bacteria and the acids that they make. Plaque hardens into tartar when left on teeth for a few days.

While brushing and flossing can remove plaque, these methods cannot eliminate it once it has calcified into tartar. A pediatric dentist must remove tartar with a scaler during teeth cleaning treatments. Otherwise, tartar will eat away at the teeth, causing decay and gum disease.

How dental sealants protect teeth from decay

Dental sealants are especially common for children’s developing teeth or when a pediatric dentist notices that some of a patient’s teeth are prone to decay. Molars are the most likely set of teeth to be covered with sealants, as their location and the depressions on their biting surfaces make them the most complicated set of teeth to clean.

Keep in mind that sealants are most effective on healthy teeth. As such, pediatric dentists often recommend covering the permanent molars of children with sealants as soon as they emerge. However, a sealant can be applied on an older healthy tooth as well.

Pros and cons of dental sealants

Dental sealants have many advantages, the most cited being how they can protect against tooth decay, damage, and infection. This protection can last for up to five years, depending on how well the sealants are cared for. Other benefits include how:

• Dental sealants only take minutes to place.
• It is more economical to protect teeth with sealants than it is to seal cavities with fillings.
• The application process does not involve making permanent alterations to the patient’s teeth.

There are, however, some drawbacks associated with sealants. Some sealants may do more harm than good if the treated tooth has already been affected by decay. Sealants also contain small amounts of BPA, which can be harmful. In addition, incorrect application can compromise the dental sealant from the start. This last risk can be mitigated by entrusting an experienced pediatric dentist with the application process.

The application process

Applying sealant to a patient’s teeth only takes a few minutes. The pediatric dentist will first clean and dry the teeth in preparation for the procedure. Next, they will use an etching solution to roughen them so the sealant adheres better. Then, they will paint a coating of sealant on each tooth, hardening it with ultraviolet light. The sealant will form a long-lasting barrier that prevents acids made by oral bacteria from making contact with the tooth.