Sealants
Sealants

Serramonte Dental Group treats children. One of the best ways to keep a child cavity free is with proper home care instruction and with sealants. Sealants have been proven to prevent cavities but they do not replace proper hygiene. Ask Serramonte Dental Group, your dentist in San Bruno, if sealants are right for your child.

What causes tooth decay?
What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay happens when plaque or bacteria come in contact with the tooth and is allowed to sit. The bacteria, once fed with sugars, will begin eroding the enamel.

Causes for tooth decay include:
- Poor oral hygiene (brushing / flossing)
- Poor diet
- Stress
- Smoking
- Genetics

Adults tend to get cavities around old fillings, which may be cracked, rough around the edges or loose in the tooth. Another common form of tooth decay in adults is root cavities. These are likely to occur in adults who have receding gums due to age or periodontal disease. As the gum line recedes, the tooth root becomes exposed. Since root tissue is softer than enamel, it decays more easily.

Added Protection Against Tooth Decay
Tooth Molar With Dental Sealants

Decay generally happens in premolars and molars due to the build-up of bacteria within the crevices of the tooth's biting surface. Even with proper oral hygiene, bacteria within these deep crevices is extremely hard to brush out and can allow plaque and bacteria to form thus leading to a cavity, which then needs to be filled.

Dental sealants effectively create a protective layer over a tooth's biting surface by sealing off tooth crevices making it impossible for plaque and bacteria to form. Dental sealants also make brushing these teeth much more effective which also keeps the cavities away.

Dental sealants are for everyone so we invite you to request an appointment and come in to talk more with us about getting dental sealants.

Applying Dental Sealants

Sealants are one of the easiest preventive dental procedures that can be done. Sealing your teeth can be done in a single dental visit and is entirely painless!

We will first thoroughly clean and dry teeth that are going to be sealed. Generally, gauze and/or cotton will be placed around the tooth to prevent moisture collecting on the tooth. A clean and dry tooth is essential for the sealant material to properly adhere.

Next, a mild acid is applied to the chewing surface of the tooth. This will roughen the surface layer of the tooth's enamel and will provide an optimal surface for the sealant material to bond to.

The tooth will be rinsed with water and dried a final time before the sealant is placed.

Dental sealant material is a plastic-like material that is brushed onto the tooth's chewing services. This liquid-like material will sink into the nooks and crannies within the chewing surface and start bonding directly to the enamel layer of the tooth. We will use a special blue curing light that hardens the sealant.

That's it! Your tooth is now sealed off from harmful plaque and bacteria.

How Long Do Tooth Sealants Last?

Dental sealants are very hard and stand up well against normal biting and chewing forces. Sealants usually last as long as 5 years without needing to be replaced; however, during a regular dental checkup we will check your sealants for any chipping or excessive wearing. Dental sealants in need of replacement can generally be done on-the-spot as necessary.

Are Tooth Sealants Expensive?
Piggy Bank Representing How Affordable Sealants Are

Dental sealants are perhaps one of the most affordable preventive dental services that you can receive. In most cases, dental sealants cost less than $50 per tooth and end up preventing much more costly dental procedures such as fillings, root canals and even needing the tooth to be extracted and replaced.

Are Sealants Covered Under Dental Insurance?
Many dental insurance plans do cover the cost of dental sealants as a means to keep good oral health and prevent cavities. If you are not sure that your specific plan will cover dental sealants, we can look into it for you. Call our office at 650-756-0938 or request an appointment today and we can take a look.

Get The Care You Deserve!

Serramonte Dental Group would love to meet you and your family and provide you with the dental care you deserve! Our office is conveniently accessible to those living near San Bruno.

Request An Appointment Online

Or call us today at: 650-756-0938

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New location: 1101 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066