Dental Sealants in Birmingham MI

Protect your child's teeth against bacteria

Dr. Sushko believes that by using Sealants on their children's teeth, parents can prevent tooth decay early on in life.

You can remove most food particles and plaque from your teeth with thorough brushing and flossing. However, there are small depressions and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth that often get missed.

Dental Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. In other words, they help prevent dental problems before they start.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental Sealants are a plastic material that is painted on the teeth to help prevent tooth decay and cavities. According to the American Dental Association, the average cost of applying a Sealant to a tooth is far less than the cost of having the dentist fill a cavity in a tooth. Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for permanent molars and some plans cover sealant application on all back teeth.

How are Sealants applied?

Sealant application only takes a few minutes per tooth. First the teeth are thoroughly cleaned, then the surface of the tooth is roughened so that the sealant will bond to the tooth. The sealant is then painted on where it is hardened by application of an intense blue light.

How long will Sealants last?

Dental Sealants typically protect the teeth from decay from three to five years. Your dentist will inspect the Sealant during checkups and can reapply Sealant as needed.

While Sealants are not a replacement for proper oral hygiene, they can greatly reduce tooth decay by acting as a barrier between bacteria and difficult-to-reach areas of the teeth that are prone to decay. Sealants can help minimize cavities and can be applied to both baby teeth and permanent teeth.