How Are Dental Sealants Applied?
The process is simple, quick, and painless. The dentist cleans and dries the tooth before applying a gel that “roughens” the surface. This ensures the resin will adhere better. Your doctor will rinse the gel off after a few seconds and apply the sealant to the teeth. It will then be hardened using a special blue light.
That’s it! Nitrous oxide might be used to help anxious children stay calm. In addition, sealants for the smallest children will be painted on with a special brush to control the amount applied.
Can Dental Sealants Be Applied if Cavities Are Already Present?
It depends on the extent of the tooth decay. An advanced cavity will need to be treated before sealants can be applied. Early tooth decay, however, can be covered by the sealant. This will prevent future decay and your dentist will monitor it at every checkup.