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What Is A Sealant?
A dental
sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of molars
and premolars (the teeth directly in front of the molars). Sealants have
been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of cavities. They
were developed through dental research in the 1950s and first became available
commercially in the early 1970s. The first sealant was accepted by the
American Dental Association Council on Dental Therapeutics in 1972.
How
effective are sealants?
Scientific studies have proven that properly applied sealants are 100
percent effective in protecting the tooth surfaces from caries. Because
sealants act as a physical barrier to decay, protection is determined
by the sealants' ability to adhere to the tooth. As long as the sealant
remains intact, small food particles and bacteria that cause cavities
cannot penetrate through or around a sealant. In fact, research has shown
that sealants actually stop cavities when placed on top of a slightly
decayed tooth by sealing off the supply of nutrients to the bacteria that
causes a cavity. Sealant protection is reduced or lost when part or all
of the bond between the tooth and sealant is broken. However, clinical
studies have shown that teeth that have lost sealants are no more susceptible
to tooth decay than teeth that were never sealed.
How
are sealants applied?
Sealant application involves cleaning the surface of the tooth and rinsing
the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning agent. An etching solution
or gel is applied to the enamel surface of the tooth, including the pits
and grooves. After 15 seconds, the solution is thoroughly rinsed away
with water. After the site is dried, the sealant material is applied and
allowed to harden by using a special curing light. Other sealants are
applied and allowed to harden much the same way nail polish is applied
to fingernails. Sealant treatment is painless and could take anywhere
from five to 45 minutes to apply, depending on how many teeth need to
be sealed. Sealants must be applied properly for good retention.
How
long will a sealant last?
Sealants should last five years, but can last as long as 10 years. One
study reported that seven years after application, an impressive 49 percent
of treated teeth were still completely covered. Sealants should not be
considered permanent. Regular dental check-ups are necessary to monitor
the sealants' bond to the tooth.
Who
should receive sealant treatment?
Children, because they have newly erupted, permanent teeth, receive the
greatest benefit from sealants. The chewing surfaces of a child's teeth
are most susceptible to cavities and the least benefitted by fluoride.
Surveys show that approximately two-thirds of all cavities occur in the
narrow pits and grooves of a child's newly erupted teeth because food
particles and bacteria cannot be cleaned out. Other patients also can
benefit from sealant placement, such as those who have existing pits and
grooves susceptible to decay. Research has shown that almost everybody
has a 95 percent chance of eventually experiencing cavities in the pits
and grooves of their teeth.
Are
sealants covered by insurance?
Although insurance benefits for sealant procedures have increased considerably,
coverage is still minimal. The trend is toward expanded coverage of this
benefit, especially as companies start to realize that sealants are a
proven preventive technique. This preventive measure can help reduce future
dental expenses and protect the teeth from more aggressive forms of treatment.
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CONTACT:
Susan Urbanczyk, public relations manager, at 312.440.4308 or media@agd.org
or Jennifer Starkey, public relations coordinator, at 312.440.4341 or
media@agd.org.
NOTE: Information
that appears in General Dentistry, the AGD's peer-reviewed journal, AGD
Impact, the AGD's newsmagazine and related press releases do not necessarily
reflect the endorsement of the AGD.
The Academy
of General Dentistry is a non-profit organization of more than 37,000
general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through
continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for
patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment,
management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral
health needs.
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