Dental Sealants

Close up of a dental assistant applying a UV light to a white female patient's newly sealed teeth

Dental sealants are becoming increasingly popular as they are an effective form of treatment for maintaining oral health. With advances in modern dental technology, dental sealants offer a fast and painless way to help prevent decay even after traditional brushing and flossing methods fail.

At Gresham Dental Excellence, our skilled professionals offer top-notch services when it comes to getting dental sealants so you can protect your teeth from decay and maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a preventive measure to help protect teeth from decay. They are a thin, plastic coating that is applied to the grooves and fissures of molars and premolars. These grooves and fissures are often areas where bacteria can easily accumulate and cause decay. By applying sealants to these areas, they can help prevent cavities from forming.

Sealants are typically applied to children's permanent teeth as soon as they erupt, but they can also be applied to adults' teeth as a preventive measure. Sealants are not a substitute for proper oral care, but they can be a helpful tool in maintaining good dental health.

Benefits of Getting Dental Sealants

Some benefits of getting dental sealants include the following:

•	Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against harmful bacteria and acids that can cause decay.
•	Preventative dental care like sealants can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for more costly treatments like fillings and root canals.
•	Applying sealants is a quick and painless process that can be done in a single visit to the dentist.
•	Sealants can last up to 10 years with proper care and maintenance, providing long-lasting protection for your teeth.
•	Once applied, dental sealants do not affect the normal function of your teeth, allowing you to continue to eat and speak normally.

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Sealants?

At Gresham Dental Excellence we typically recommend dental sealants for children and teenagers, as they are most susceptible to tooth decay due to their developing permanent teeth. However, sealants can also benefit adults with a high risk of developing tooth decay.

Our dentist can help determine if you are a candidate for sealants based on your overall oral health and individual risk factors.

What Is the Procedure for Getting Dental Sealants?

The procedure for getting sealants is quick, painless, and can be completed in a single visit. At Gresham Dental Excellence our dentists perform the following steps:

•	The teeth that will receive the sealants will be thoroughly cleaned by our professional, using a polishing instrument.
•	Cotton or another absorbent material will be used to keep the teeth dry and moisture-free.
•	A mild acid solution will be applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to make them rough, which helps the sealant adhere better.
•	After the solution has been applied and rinsed off, the teeth will once again be dried with absorbent material.
•	The sealant material is then brushed onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth and then hardened with a special curing light.
•	After the sealants have hardened, our professional will evaluate them to make sure they are properly in place and functioning as intended.

If you'd like to get dental sealants applied, contact Gresham Dental Excellence at (971) 431-7292 to schedule an appointment

Dr. Gary S. Cooke

490 East Powell Blvd
Gresham, OR 97030

(971) 431-7292

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7am to 4:30pm
7am to 4:30pm
7am to 4:30pm
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Gresham Dental Excellence, 490 East Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030 \ (971) 431-7292 \ greshamdentalexcellence.com \ 9/5/2024 \ Key Phrases: dentist Gresham OR \