A Guide to Pits and Fissure Sealants in Vancouver, WA
Oral health is essential for everyone, particularly for children, and young people. Pits and fissure sealants are some of the most valuable preventive tools available to protect teeth from decay. Residents of Vancouver, WA, should investigate the advantages of these sealants to make knowledgeable choices regarding their dental health and wellness. In this article, we will discuss exactly what pits and fissure sealants are, the benefits of pits and fissure sealants, and why they provide an especially good opportunity for your oral health as recommended by a dentist in Vancouver, WA.
What Are Pits and Fissure Sealants?
Pits and fissure sealant is a thin, protective coating of dental resin that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). These areas are especially susceptible to cavities as they have deep grooves (fissures) and pits that can trap food particles and bacteria, making it hard to clean them with normal brushing.
The application process is fairly fast and painless:
- Cleaning: The dentist cleans the tooth properly and dries it.
- Preparation: The chewing surface is coated with an acidic gel for a short time to slightly roughen it, to help the sealant to adhere to the tooth.
- Application: The gel gets rinsed off, the tooth gets dried once again and the sealant is painted onto the enamel of the tooth.
- Curing: A specialized curing light hardens the sealant.
Advantages of Pits and Fissure Sealants
Preventing Tooth Decay: The foremost advantage of sealants is preventing tooth decay. Sealants fill in the grooves and pits, which helps create a smooth surface that’s much easier to clean when brushing with a toothbrush. This makes it difficult for food particles and bacteria to get stuck, which greatly lowers the chance of getting cavities.
- Long-Lasting Protection: Sealants offer long-term prevention of tooth decay. They can be repeatedly required every few years, though with care. This longevity also makes them cost-effective compared to more major types of treatment such as fillings, crowns, or root canals.
- Minimally Invasive: Others prescribed sealants day in, and day out because applying them is easy, and non-invasive; no drilling, no loss of tooth structure involved. Its versatility also makes it a great choice for children and teenagers who may be fearful about dental procedures.
- Cost-Efficient Preventative Medicine: Using sealants can be cost-effective in the long term as they also help prevent cavities and costly dental procedures. Most dental insurance plans cover sealants, especially for children, as they are vital to keeping teeth healthy.
- Good for Kids and Adults Alike: Sealants are most often applied to children’s teeth soon after the permanent molars emerge, but they can also benefit cavity-prone adults. Adult patients who have deep grooves and/or pits in their teeth, or those with a history of cavities, may benefit from sealants as well.
To preserve sealants and oral health, it is necessary to regularly visit dentists to check on their status and general dental hygiene. During these visits, the dentist also can examine the sealants for wear and tear and reapply if necessary.
There are many advantages of using pits and fissure sealants, which include protecting the teeth from decay, and therefore, they are considered an effective tool in preventive dental care. Knowing these advantages can aid in making wise choices about Vancouver, WA dental health. Sealants are an easy, effective, and economical means for children and adults to maintain a healthy smile. If you let your dentist know that sealants may be something you’re interested in for yourself or your child, they can provide more information about this helpful treatment and how it can easily be incorporated into your oral health care plan.
