Whether you’re a child or an adult, your smile is susceptible to tooth decay. In fact, only about 1% of the population is immune to dental caries. To prevent the serious complications of a cavity, such as pain or even infection, we may suggest a preventive treatment option. What benefits will our dental sealants offer residents of Mansfield, TX?
The Impact of Tooth Decay
A cavity forms when the outer layer of tooth enamel is unable to prevent bacteria from reaching the inner layers of dentin. Poor oral hygiene could weaken and erode enamel, or an injury causing a chip or fracture could expose the inner structure. Once the cavity forms, it will grow and spread through the tooth. Eventually, people with untreated cavities could develop an infection or abscess. Without immediate restorative treatment, an infection could potentially mean the loss of your tooth. For adults, this means a gap in the smile. For children losing baby teeth prematurely, this could mean the onset of misalignment.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a plastic coating we apply to the rear molars. The sealant prevents food from becoming trapped between the teeth. For children, these teeth are difficult to reach when brushing and flossing. We may also suggest treatment for adults with high risk factors for developing cavities. After we examine your smile using advanced digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, we will clean and dry the teeth receiving the sealants. We then etch the teeth and apply the material. Following application, we will cure the material with a special light. They tend to last between 5 and 10 years, but we will monitor them during your routine checkup and cleaning appointments, reapplying if necessary. Otherwise, they will simply wear away with time.
Warning Signs
If you and your family attend routine six-month visits, then we will often identify decay in the earliest possible stages, offering preventive care before you suffer discomfort. Otherwise, you may not know you need treatment until you begin to experience persistent tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, or an ache that doesn’t pass after a few hours. Don’t ignore pain in your smile, let us know right away so we can perform a thorough diagnosis. We will then recommend solutions, such as our tooth-colored fillings or dental crowns. If you have questions about our preventive dental sealants, or if you’re ready to have your smile examined and cleaned, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Avoiding Cavities?
We want to help you enjoy a smile free of tooth decay. To that end, we offer unique preventive treatment options. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.
Recent Comments