At Larry Caldwell, DDS & Associates, we strive to provide expert dental care in a fun, friendly, and easygoing environment.
Our pediatric dentists work hard to treat every patient on an individual basis, creating comprehensive, personalized treatment plans that achieve great dental health and confident smiles.
Since we specialize in safeguarding the smiles of young patients, we do a lot of work watching out for dental development; sometimes that means applying dental sealants.
Protecting a Vulnerable Area
The chewing surfaces of the molars are the areas most vulnerable to cavities and decay. Full of nooks, crannies, and crevices, they are perfect places for bits of food and bacteria to hide in, and are virtually impossible to completely clean with a toothbrush. This makes them highly susceptible to plaque and tartar formation.
Since children tend to eat higher amounts of sweets than adults, and baby teeth aren't as resistant to cavities as adult teeth, it is important to do everything you can to protect your children’s teeth. Dental sealants are a big part of this. Sealants are a safe, effective, FDA-approved treatment, which involves coating the chewing surface of the molars with a thin, transparent layer of resin. This thin layer of resin creates a barrier between teeth and bacteria, protecting the dentin from corrosive acids and cavities.
The Dental Sealants Process
Applying dental sealants is a simple procedure that provides a highly effective barrier against cavities. Your Sugar Land, TX pediatric dentist can place a sealant in just one visit. That treatment process looks like this:
- Before starting, our dental team performs a thorough examination of the teeth, searching for dental decay.
- If any decay is found, we'll carefully remove the decay and sterilize the tooth.
- Then we’ll fully clean and sterilize the teeth of any remaining bacteria or plaque.
- After cleaning the teeth, your pediatric dentist will apply a solution to gently roughen, or "etch," the surface of the teeth. This will help the resin adhere.
- Next, a thin coat of liquid resin will be applied to the teeth using a brush.
- We'll use a specialized curing light to help the resin harden, which takes about a minute.
- Once hardened, the sealants are good to go!
Caring for Sealants
Even though the resin will protect them, sealed teeth still require thorough and consistent care and oral hygiene. Your child will need to continue brushing and flossing every day, and he or she still needs to see a pediatric dentist for regular professional cleanings. Dental sealants will last up to 10 years, and although we'll need to monitor them for wear and tear, they'll help to reduce your child's chances of cavities by up to 70%!
Contact Your Sugar Land, TX Pediatric Dentist
With proper care and diligent oral hygiene, dental sealants can help keep your child's teeth healthy, strong, and free from cavities and decay. If you'd like to find out more about how dental sealants can help your child, feel free to call us at (281) 565-5437 or reach out to us through our contact page.