Have your teeth been aching lately? Have you visited our dentist near you to check what’s causing it?
The issue is likely cavity formation when you feel pain or discomfort, especially in your molars.
One of the best remedies is to have the area professionally cleaned. However, when the cavity has dug deep, it might be impossible to just resort to cleaning. It needs to be filled up just so that it won’t worsen.
Our dental specialist may have suggested that they will place dental sealants where the decay is. But what exactly are sealants? And are they safe?
Dental Sealants: The ‘What’ and ‘How’
According to the American Dental Association:
“Dental sealants are systems that can be applied to the occlusal surfaces of teeth to penetrate anatomic surface pits and fissures and form a physical barrier on the tooth surface.”
Dental sealants cover and replace what is now a hole between your teeth after the cavity has been eliminated.
Applying dental sealants near you starts by cleaning the area of your teeth with cavities. Our dentists would need to ensure the surface is entirely clean and dry. Our dentists would then place an acidic gel onto the tooth surface as it bonds your tooth and the sealant. Once it toughens up, it must be washed and dried again before the sealant is placed. Lastly, they must use glue to harden the sealant and even out the surface.
Types of Dental Sealants
There are two main types of sealants based on their reaction as they set in the mouth.
Glass ionomers have an acid-based reaction as they set. They have a high acid-base bonding and shrink less as they set. They also have low thermal expansion and tensile strength.
On the other hand, composite resin polymerizes has no acid-base bonding and tends to shrink more as it sets compared to glass ionomers. It also has less expansion after being immersed in water but with high tensile strength.
Either of these two can be used on your teeth, but it depends on the depth of the cavity hole and how strong your teeth are before applying the sealant.
Are Sealants Safe?
Dental sealants are generally safe. They are painless and won’t result in any bleeding during or after the procedure.
Dentists recommend this procedure to clean and fill in decay in teeth since it also lasts longer.
However, it is good to note that while they can last up to ten (10) years, you would still have to visit our dentist near you regularly. This is to make sure that your sealant is still intact. If not, it might need to be refilled and fixed immediately, so it won’t return to being decayed.
Also, a reminder that even with your dental sealant, you still need to take care and observe proper oral hygiene. Having a sealant does not mean that you can neglect taking care of your teeth already. Always remember to floss and brush your teeth to maintain being decay-free.
Dental Sealants in St. Albert
Are you ready to finally have peace of mind over that tooth decay? Visit your nearest dental clinic in St. Albert to have it checked. Make sure that your tooth is not aching before the procedure. Receive some advice from our dentist in St. Albert if it is aching. He or she might prescribe you a pain reliever for several days (or more) before scheduling your dental sealant procedure.
Receiving a dental sealant would make chewing and eating much easier for you. Plus, without the casual toothache, you’ll finally receive a good night’s sleep.