Sealants

When I was in dental school, the professor asked students who had cavity. Only half of students raised their hands. Most of them never had a cavity in their life! Yet, when I talk to parents now, I still hear remarks such as "I never even heard of sealants”. Sealants have been used for more than 30 years. It is a safe and simple procedure that can prevent cavities. Dental sealant is a plastic coating on biting surface of adult teeth. It will seal grooves on teeth. This is why it is called sealant.

Six years old is the most important age in one’s dental life. Once the six year molar is crooked or decayed, it can’t be reversed. Sealants are placed during 6 years old and 12 years old as soon as molar comes in. Once placed, they won’t have cavity for the rest of their life. On average it lasts 10 years until they become adults when they brush and eat better. Research shows that when sealants are placed even on the tooth that has slight cavity it stops cavity from getting bigger.

Even though I perform all aspects of dentistry including implant placement and orthodontics for kids and adults, sealant is still my favorite procedure because it prevents cavities in young kids. It doesn’t require drilling and can be done in 5 minutes.

Sincerely,

Hartsdale Dental Care

Andrew Woo D.D.S