Dental Sealants

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were some way of protecting a child's vulnerable back teeth from developing cavities? Fortunately, there is. Sealants are a protective barrier that prevents harmful bacteria from getting into the deep grooves in the back molars. At Melillo Dental in Yonkers, New York, James Melillo, DDS, Dasny Castillo-Beltran, DDS, and the team offer sealants to help protect your child's teeth. You can find out more by calling the office or requesting one online today. 

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are a part of the preventive care offering at Melillo Dental. They're made from a tough, white, liquid-plastic, medical-grade resin, and the team uses this protective treatment to coat your child's back teeth (molars), getting into the deep grooves and pits where decay can develop. This "barrier" reduces the risk of cavities in your child.

Sealants typically last up to 10 years before naturally wearing down, but sometimes they fall out. Your dentist checks the condition of your child's sealants at every appointment, reapplying if they show excessive wear and tear or are missing.

Dental sealants are most beneficial for children, especially those aged 6-12, when the permanent back teeth begin to grow.

What are the benefits of dental sealants?

Even with exceptional dental care, many children are prone to tooth decay. Sealants form an extra layer of protection that prevents harmful bacteria and acid from creating cavities. The benefits of this treatment include:

Long-lasting protection

Sealants prevent 80% of cavities for 2 years post-treatment and up to 50% for 4 years. 

Target vulnerable areas

Almost all cavities — 90% — occur in the back teeth. Sealants reach the most at-risk areas.

Cost-effective

Sealants are relatively inexpensive, much cheaper than dental repair work.

By reducing the risk of cavities, sealants help prevent further dental problems later in life.

How are sealants applied?

Sealant application is quick and painless. Your child’s provider first cleans your child's teeth with gritty toothpaste to ensure any plaque stuck in the teeth's grooves is completely removed. 

Then, they put an acidic gel on the back teeth and leave it on for a few seconds to roughen the tooth's surface so that the sealant resin "sticks" better.

After washing the gel from your child's teeth and drying them, their provider then applies the sealant. The sealant resin is runny to get inside the teeth's grooves, and they use a blue light to dry and harden it.

Sealants are an effective preventive treatment that protects a child's vulnerable permanent teeth. Call Melillo Dental to find out more about sealants, or you can request an appointment online at any time.