Dental Sealants in Iowa City

Sealing Out Tooth Decay to Prevent Cavities

While brushing your teeth and flossing regularly are always the best ways to prevent decay and cavities, it is often difficult to thoroughly clean every part of every tooth, especially the molars at the back of the mouth. These are favorite places for bacteria and food particle to hide which can lead to decay.

Dental sealants are a great way to not only prevent cavity formation but can also prevent early decay from becoming a cavity in the future. Sealants, especially in children, have been proven to help prevent cavities by a recent study made by the Center for Disease Control.

What Are Sealants & How Do They Work?

A dental sealant is a thin coating, usually made from plastic or similar safe material that coats the surface of the molars to prevent bacteria and food from sticking. These minute particles attract acids that wear down the teeth to form cavities. The sealant is a barrier to these holes and can even be placed over weakened or decayed spots to prevent further damage.

Dental sealants can last for several years before they need to be reapplied and have no known side effects.

The Process for Placing Sealants

Getting your dental sealants from our team of Iowa City dentist is painless and quick. We will thoroughly clean your tooth before applying a thin layer of specially formulated gel that will create the perfect surface for a sealant to bond. The gel is then rinsed off, the tooth is cleaned again, and the sealant will be applied and hardened with a special light.

Both adults and children can benefit from dental sealants and children can get them as soon as their permanent teeth come in, giving them extra protection from the start.