6 Questions and Answers About Dental Sealants

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Cavities can cause pain, discomfort, and, if left untreated, dental infection. Dental sealants are one of the leading options to help protect children of a certain age from cavities. If you have questions about dental sealants, your child’s dentist in Medina, OH, can help answer those questions. Knowing about dental sealants can help you decide if dental sealants are right for your child – or for you. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are a plastic coating that the dentist can paint on your child’s rear molars. Dental sealants stay in place for a long time. While they’re there, dental sealants prevent tooth enamel from touching bacteria and food debris that can lead to cavities.

2. How do dental sealants work?

Dental sealants work by sealing the molars. To install dental sealants, the dentist will clean the teeth and place gauze around the teeth to keep them dry. Next, the dentist will place an etching solution on the teeth to roughen them up. This helps ensure that the sealant will stay in place. Finally, the dentist paints the sealant on the teeth and shines a light on the sealant to harden it.

3. How long do dental sealants last?

Dental sealants can last up to about five years. They start to lose their effectiveness gradually and sometimes need touch-ups.

4. Who needs dental sealants?

Typically, patients who get dental sealants are children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. When the dentist thinks that a person could benefit from dental sealants, they often offer to provide sealants during the dental checkup.

5. Are dental sealants effective?

Yes, dental sealants can reduce the chances of getting cavities.

6. Can adults get dental sealants?

Adults can get dental sealants. If you are at high risk of cavities, the dentist may recommend getting sealants.

Need Protection from Cavities? Contact Us Today About Dental Sealants in Medina, OH

Patients who need protection from cavities can benefit from dental sealants in Medina, OH. The dental professionals at Haley Dental Group of Medina can help. To learn more about dental sealants, call today.

Sealants vs. Bonding: What’s the Difference?

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Sealants and bonding will both cover up the surface of your teeth, but they’re used for different purposes. If you’re wondering how the two compare and which one is right for you, we’ll look at what to expect from the procedures and some easy tips to distinguish the two.

Sealants Are for Kids

Sealants in Medina, OH put a barrier on the teeth that blocks out the bacteria that causes cavities. It’s a plastic barrier that fills in the bumps in the molars and premolars and it can be an invaluable solution for kids aged 6 to 14. Because younger children are less likely to brush every quadrant correctly and floss regularly, sealants can prevent tooth decay during some very critical years.

Bonding Is a Cosmetic Procedure

Bonding is typically used as a more cost-effective alternative to veneers. Able to cover up chips, cracks, and discoloration, people opt for bonding to enhance their smile and potentially fix damage along the way. Bonding is more involved than sealants, as the dentist in Medina, OH may need to shape your teeth to achieve a uniform and symmetrical smile.

Exceptions to the Rule

The above information is a general summation of the two services, but there are exceptions to every rule. For example, there are adults who may benefit from sealants based on the surface structure of their teeth. While children have more crevices to fill in, some adults have enough dips on their teeth to warrant sealants.

In addition, bonding can be used to potentially fix damage, whether it’s a crack in the tooth or severe gum recession. The composite resin that the dentist molds and shapes for the tooth can serve as a protective barrier, which can potentially help you avoid larger damage down the line.

Consult a Dentist in Medina

If you have questions about sealants or bonding procedures, contact Haley Dental Group of Medina to schedule a consultation. Whether you want your child to avoid cavities down the line or you’re looking to cover up a yellowed tooth, our staff can help you learn more about what’s next.

Are Tooth Fillings Always Visible? 

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Most people assume dental fillings are easy to spot. After all, decades of using amalgam fillings have made this assumption believable. However, just because you need dental fillings in Medina, OH, it does not necessarily mean you will walk away with visible spots on your repaired teeth. Here is a closer look at everything you need to know about the dental fillings you will get at a modern dentist.

Visible fillings are more common where they cannot be seen

When people think of dental fillings that are visible, they are likely to be thinking about amalgam fillings. Amalgam fillings are made of metal, and these fillings have been a standard way of filling a treated cavity for many years. While the material is exceptionally resilient, the end result is a gray-toned spot on the tooth that is visible.

These dental fillings are highly fitting for the teeth in your mouth that do the most work when you chew. So, in other words, they are most common in the back teeth. Therefore, even though the fillings are easy to spot, they are not so apparent because of their placement in the mouth.

Most dentists prefer to use composite fillings today

The more modern way to approach filling a cavity is with composite fillings. This material is made with plastic resins, and the material can be shaded so that it perfectly matches the shade of the tooth. Therefore, once a composite filling is placed by a skilled dentist, that filling doesn’t show up.

Because composite fillings are not visible, these are usually used to repair teeth in the front of your mouth. However, composite fillings can also be used to repair teeth in the back of the mouth. The only issue with composite fillings in the molars and jaw teeth is the filling may have to be replaced more frequently because composite is not as resilient as amalgam.

Find Out More About Fillings from a Medina, OH Dentist

Dental fillings could easily be deemed as one of the most valuable treatments in dentistry. Cavities are extremely common for both children and adults, with most people having at least one affected tooth in their lifetime. If you would like to know more about fillings, be sure to talk to a Medina, OH dentist about your concerns. Reach out to us at the Evanko Dental Group of Medina to schedule an appointment for preventative dental treatments.