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Sealants
Sealants offer a great preventive dentistry method for protecting your teeth from decay. This option is not only for children, as people of all ages benefit from it.
We offer sealants to Gahanna, OH locals as part of our regular dentistry services at Creekside Family Dental.
Why to Consider Dental Sealants
Sealants create a protective layer over your teeth, which helps to ward off tooth decay and cavities. This solution is particularly useful for molars and premolars in the back of the mouth, which are difficult to fully clean with brushing.
You’ll notice the pit and fissure pattern on the top of these back teeth, which looks like bumps and indentations. It’s important to care for these areas by brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, yet food and bacteria are able to build up in the pit and fissure areas. In time, this buildup can turn into tooth decay.
Putting sealants over the surfaces of these teeth gives added protection that keeps substances from collecting and causing damage. The smooth surface of the resin sealant is tough for food and bacteria to stick to and is easier for you to clean through your at-home hygiene routine.
Applying sealants is a simple procedure that can help prevent tooth damage and treatments to solve them. It’s a good tool to add to your arsenal of at-home care and professional cleanings. Using sealants now reduces the likelihood of fillings or other cavity treatments later, which means it can help prevent pain, hassle and more costly treatments.
Candidates for Dental Sealants
Most people could benefit from this dental service. As long as the person has their permanent teeth, sealants work for children, teenagers and adults of all ages. Because this procedure is quick, affordable and effective, many patients can find it worthwhile.
If you ask about this service, our dentist provides a consultation to determine whether sealants are right for you or your child. They are generally reserved for the molars and premolars, which our dentist would examine before covering with the sealant material. He may decide to only seal certain molars. Also, this procedure is best for healthy teeth, yet can sometimes be used on a tooth with mild decay.
How The Sealant Process Works
Your sealant procedure happens during a quick and painless outpatient appointment. Our team starts by professionally cleaning your teeth and gums. This process ensures we do not trap any food residue or bacteria under the sealants.
Then, Dr. Leffler paints a layer of a resin liquid material onto the tooth surfaces. He cures the material to harden it, which creates a strong barrier over the tooth that can withstand chewing.
In time, the sealant material becomes worn and less effective. Our team notices signs of breakdown during your regular exams and can recommend new sealants. Nonetheless, sealants tend to protect your teeth for years before this is necessary.
Ask About Sealants
Dental sealants offer an extra way to support your oral health and prevent dental problems from forming. Ask about sealants during your next exam and cleaning visit, or contact us to set up a consultation appointment.
Contact us to make your appointment.
Dental Sealants FAQs
At Creekside Family Dental, preventive care is a key part of helping patients avoid more complex dental issues down the road. Dental sealants are a simple, effective way to protect teeth from cavities—especially in the hard-to-clean grooves of back teeth. Dr. Will Leffler and our team use sealants as a conservative approach to maintaining your smile’s health. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about this treatment.
Dental sealants are designed to last for several years. In most cases, they remain effective for 5 to 10 years with proper care and regular dental checkups. During your routine visits, we’ll check your sealants to make sure they’re still intact and protecting your teeth.
Sealants are best used on teeth without decay. They work as a preventive measure, sealing out bacteria before a cavity forms. If decay is already present, it typically needs to be treated first with a filling before considering a sealant.
There isn’t really a “cutoff” age. Sealants are commonly placed on children and teens when their permanent molars come in, but adults can benefit as well—especially if their teeth have deep grooves and are prone to cavities. It depends more on your dental health than your age.
When sealants are properly applied to a clean, healthy tooth, they help prevent cavities by blocking bacteria from entering the tooth. However, if a sealant becomes worn or damaged over time, bacteria can reach the tooth surface. That’s why regular exams are important—we monitor sealants and reapply them if needed.
Other preventive options include fluoride treatments, good brushing and flossing habits, and limiting sugary foods and drinks. In some cases, treatments such as silver diamine fluoride (SDF) may be used to help prevent early decay. However, sealants remain one of the most effective ways to protect the chewing surfaces of molars.
You can return to your normal diet right away. Sealants harden quickly, so there’s no downtime. That said, avoiding very hard or sticky foods can help extend their lifespan.
Most patients don’t notice them after placement. You may feel a slightly smoother surface at first, but this typically goes away quickly as your bite adjusts.
If you’re wondering whether dental sealants are right for you or your child, Dr. Leffler and the Creekside Family Dental team are happy to help you explore your options and keep your smile on the right track.
