A sealant is a plastic material applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The resin flows into the grooves of the teeth and once the pits and grooves are covered, food and plaque cannot get in. The sealant forms a barrier against acid attacks which promote cavity formation.
The adult teeth most susceptible to cavities are the first and second adult molars. These teeth have deeper pits and grooves that trap plaque and bits of food. Being the most posterior teeth, these pits and grooves are hard to keep clean because toothbrush bristles cannot get into them. However, any tooth with grooves or pits may benefit from sealant placement.
Dr. Arrison applies sealant in a single visit, the teeth are conditioned for the sealant application and the sealant is painted directly on the chewing surface of the teeth. A special light may be used to help the sealant harden.
Make sure your child still brushes and flosses daily and keeps their regularly scheduled check-ups. Although sealants are a wonderful adjust to your child’s preventive oral health plan, poor hygiene and severe grinding may cause them to wear and chip. They may need to be reapplied to continue to protect your child’s teeth.
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the jaw, usually due to damage from injury or decay. Typically, we treat extraction is a last resort and will first try to repair the tooth with a filling, crown or dental treatment.
Sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary for the normal growth of other teeth; Some people are born with extra teeth which prevent other teeth from coming in, and often certain teeth will need to be extracted to allow for the growth of others. People getting braces may need teeth extracted to make more room for the teeth being moved into place.