If your cosmetic dentist recommends sealants for you or your children, you may wonder if receiving this treatment is worth the potential increase in cost. If you have concerns, you can always talk to your cosmetic dentist, about why they recommend this treatment for you. However, dental sealants have been shown to be very effective in promoting great oral health for patients and avoiding problems down the road. To help you know more about the process, we’ve brought together some information to help prepare you for the best decision for your teeth.
What are Sealants?
Sealants are a protective coating that is placed over the teeth to further help protect them from cavities and infection. The coatings are typically placed on the flat grinding surfaces of the teeth that are more prone to cavities. Unfortunately, sealants don’t last forever, so your dentist may suggest that you repair or replace sealants too.
When Should You Consider Sealants?
As children’s milk teeth fall out and are replaced with their permanent teeth, it is a good time to start thinking about sealants. If sealants are placed onto teeth when they are already healthy, they can help to maintain a healthy mouth and reduce the potential for cavities on the teeth that have been treated. Maintaining these teeth can promote great oral health throughout an individual’s life, and their teeth are more prone to remain intact.
You should also consider sealants if it has been a while since you have received yours. You can talk to your cosmetic dentist to review the condition of your current sealants and see if you should opt for fresh sealants. Dr. Jay Ajmo offers dental sealant and cosmetic dentistry services in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
What is the Difference Between Crowns, Fillings, and Sealants?
One of the most important distinctions between these three dental approaches is that sealants are the only method that is used to prevent damage or decay to the tooth. Fillings help stop cavities from progressing through the enamel and dentin of your tooth, and crowns are protective caps that are placed after the damage has already occurred.
Dental sealants are also typically much less expensive than either crowns or fillings. Crowns can cost upwards of $3,000 dollars! This means that dental sealants typically make the most sense because of health and financial reasons. If you could avoid damaging your teeth in the first place, wouldn’t that be an option to consider?
How Much do Sealants Cost?
The typical cost of a sealant can vary based on a number of factors including geographic location, office overhead, inflation, or other factors that may increase the difficulty of sealant placement. However, sealants typically run between $30 and $40 per tooth. Additionally, many dental or health insurance plans believe that sealants are such a good investment, that they can often be covered by your dental plan. If you are looking into sealants, be sure to check with your dentist and insurance plan to see how much you may pay out of pocket.
Is the Process Painful?
Sealants are completely painless and don’t even use a local anesthetic. Sealants are placed in a brief single office visit that can often be combined with your regular checkup.
First, the teeth will be cleaned and prepared for a sealant with special cleaning material. The tooth is then rinsed and dried. An etching material is then placed onto the tooth to increase the surface area for the sealant to adhere. The tooth will again be rinsed and dried, and then the liquid sealant will then be brushed onto the surface. Finally, a special light will allow the sealant to cure and dry.
Overview
While sealants aren’t a requirement for everybody, they are an extremely cost-effective approach to increasing the health and protective layers of your teeth. If you have more questions about sealants and if they are right for you, schedule an appointment with PGA Dentistry located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.