A dentist in Maryville, TN provides a wide range of preventative dental treatments and is committed to assisting the entire family in taking good care of their teeth. Through strengthening tooth enamel and regulating oral bacteria, these treatments aim to avoid more serious dental problems. However, your neighborhood family dentist provides more than just your routine teeth cleaning since they treat patients of all ages with a wide range of dental requirements.
What is a Dental Sealant?
Dental sealants are thin layers of composite resin that are used on teeth to seal them against microorganisms that might cause damage. Since they are composed of composite resin, they may be blended in to match the tooth’s color and won’t be seen right away. Additionally, because the highly textured surface of molars is a common site for cavity formation, sealants are typically placed on their chewing surfaces.
What is the Duration of Dental Sealants?
Sealants are safe to stay on the surface of teeth for up to nine years after they are applied. It is crucial to remember that sealants work best for the first two years, remain quite effective for the third and fourth years, and then start to lose efficacy after the fourth year.
Sealants must thus be routinely inspected following application. Usually, this is only included in the biannual dental examination. However, it is frequently the responsibility of a caregiver to make sure that appropriate dental checkups are carried out, as dental sealants are typically applied to young patients, individuals with special needs, or those who have physical limitations.
Variation in the Longevity of a Sealant
The longevity of a sealant also depends on the use of a particular tooth. For instance, a bruxer’s teeth are constantly being grinded and clenched together, and dental sealants placed on their molars are probably not going to survive as long. Furthermore, eating foods that are crunchy or hard frequently may cause sealants to wear down more quickly. Wearing a mouth guard and consuming less hard meals will lengthen the sealant’s shelf life.
In general, the longevity of dental sealants varies based on your oral hygiene practices and nutrition. They may need to be changed after the first two years, even though this is when they are most effective. But if they’re in good shape, they could also be able to stay securely on the teeth for four to nine years. In the end, you’ll have to talk about what your dentist suggests for your case