Dental Factoid
The American Dental Association found that in each of the last four years, approximately 25% of dentists surveyed reported that tooth whitening is the fastest growing aspect of their practices.
The American Dental Association found that in each of the last four years, approximately 25% of dentists surveyed reported that tooth whitening is the fastest growing aspect of their practices.
Sealants are liquid coatings that (are light cured) harden onto the chewing surface of teeth and show a great deal of effectiveness in preventing cavities.
Enter sealants, which are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and other debris into the deep crevices on the tops of your teeth.
Sealants actually were developed about 50 years ago, but didn't become commonly used until the 1970s. Today, sealants are becoming widely popular and effective; young children are great candidates for preventative measures like sealants because in many cases, decay has not set in. Even on teeth where decay is present, sealants have been shown to fight additional damage.
Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface. The procedure is followed by "etching" the tooth with an abrasive substance, which allows the sealant to better adhere. After the sealant is applied, a cure light is directed to site to harden sealant material.