Dental Sealants In Chappaqua, Westchester NY

Here at Chappaqua Dentistry, we pride ourselves on offering a range of preventive treatment options to patients. One of the treatment options we offer is dental sealants.

While brushing and flossing are very important for protecting the health of your teeth, dental sealants can protect your teeth further. Read on to find out more about this procedure and how it can benefit you.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Small cracks and crevices can naturally occur on our teeth – in particular, our molars, which are located at the back of the mouth. Food and bacteria can become trapped in these cracks over time. This can be hard to remove through brushing and can sometimes lead to decay.

Dental sealants can help to prevent this decay by covering up these cracks and crevices. A plastic resin is ‘painted’ onto the teeth. This helps to seal up any fissures in the teeth so that food and bacteria cannot get in. The plastic is enamel-colored so that no-one will notice that it is there. The plastic is also non-toxic.

Why Get Dental Sealants?

Brushing and flossing regularly can certainly help protect your teeth against decay, but sometimes this is not enough. Dental sealants provide an extra defense against bacteria. The American Dental Association has stated that they are crucial for maintaining good dental health. While getting sealants is a relatively new form of treatment, it is starting to become more popular as more patients discover the benefits.

Dental sealants can last for years, making them a worthy investment. If they do start to wear away, they can be easily reapplied. You’ll likely not even notice that the sealants are there and will be able to consume all of your favorite foods and drinks as per normal. Most patients don’t report any pain during the procedure and there is virtually no recovery time required.

Who Can Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are often not recommended for those that already have fillings or signs of tooth decay. They are ideal for patients with healthy teeth who may be looking to protect them from decay in the future. Your teeth do not have to be perfect in order to be considered for treatment – it’s common to have some plaque or tartar and this can usually be cleaned off before the procedure. 

Patients of all ages can get dental sealants. Although the most popular patients are adults, children can get dental sealants too so long as their molars have come through. Often the earlier sealants are applied, the better – younger patients are less likely to have existing decay making them perfect candidates. Many young adults invest in dental sealants as a way of protecting their smiles for years to come.

To determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental sealants, we recommend scheduling a consultation. We will be able to assess the condition of your teeth and then decide the best treatment option for you.

What Is The Procedure Like?

Dental sealants procedure is fairly fast and straightforward. A consultation is usually required beforehand, but otherwise, it can all be done in one appointment.

First, the teeth will be cleaned. It’s important that all plaque is removed before adding any sealant – any bacteria that is sealed below will otherwise be able to continue eating away at the teeth. We will professionally clean your molars for you to ensure that there is no plaque. The teeth are then left to dry.

Next, a solution is added to ‘roughen up’ the teeth and allow for easy application of the sealant. This solution is slightly acidic but not dangerous in any way.

At this point, the sealant resin is ‘painted’ onto the teeth. It is applied directly to the chewing surface of the teeth. Ultraviolet light is then used to ‘activate’ the resin. Once the resin has activated it will harden up and look and feel like your natural tooth. The whole application procedure can take anywhere between five and forty-five minutes depending on how many teeth are being sealed.

No recovery time is required and you will be able to eat afterward as normal. At first, you may be a little conscious of the sealants but after several days you likely won’t notice that they’re there. We recommend dental check-ups twice per year to ensure that the sealants are in good condition. If they start to wear away we will recommend having sealant reapplied.

Why Choose Chappaqua Dentistry?

Chappaqua Dentistry has been carrying out high-quality dental care for decades. We are specialists in prosthodontics ranging from crowns to full mouth reconstruction. We have a great reputation in Westchester as one of the best dentists in Westchester. Our patients travel from far and wide to receive reliable and friendly dental care. When looking for a dentist that offers dental sealants, look no further than us!

Schedule An Appointment

Eager to learn more about our dental sealants? Schedule an appointment today! We’ll be happy to answer any more questions you may have about the procedure.