At Dr. Katie Orr, our goal is to ensure that you receive the best dental care while visiting, and we believe that excellent dental care begins at a young age and with a proactive approach. Preventative dentistry is a lifelong commitment, but ultimately saves time, money and discomfort. Our Indianapolis, Indiana dental sealant services are among the numerous preventative treatments that you’ll want to take full advantage of when you’re our patient.
Sealants are protective coatings used to prevent decay in healthy, unfilled teeth, and these sealants fill narrow grooves that cannot be effectively cleaned by brushing. If you aren’t able to get a bristle onto your teeth, you risk building up plaque, which will result in cavities.
Benefits of Using a Cavity Sealant in Indianapolis
Even if you are on top of your dental hygiene, not all areas of your teeth and gums are easily accessible. By getting sealants at our Indianapolis, Indiana office, you can protect these vulnerable areas from cavities by “sealing out” future food particles, plaque, and bacteria. In addition to protection, other benefits of utilizing dental sealants include:
- Cost-effectiveness – Applying sealants is a fairly inexpensive procedure, and you can typically save a lot more money in the long run compared to the cost required for filling cavities.
- Easy and painless – This process is very quick and only takes a few minutes per tooth to apply. In addition to speed, it is also painless, meaning no discomfort or need to numb the mouth before the procedure.
- Safety – There is no need to worry about safety when getting our Indianapolis protective coatings for teeth. Both the materials used to create the sealant and the application itself are completely harmless, safe, and free of PCBs.
- Discreet appearance – Typically, a dental sealant is transparent or is white in color. Regardless, the end result is virtually imperceptible in the mouth once applied and hardened.
FAQs About Indianapolis Protective Coatings for Teeth
Who typically needs a sealant?
While teenagers and children are common candidates for dental sealants, adults can also benefit from the treatment, as it’s useful for anyone prone to tooth decay or who would like to prevent decay on the biting surface.
What do I do after getting a dental sealant in Indianapolis?
It’s vital to maintain an effective oral health routine after getting sealants applied. You’ll want to continue brushing daily and flossing to remove any food particles. Also, maintaining a good diet including fruits and vegetables is also beneficial!
How long does a sealant last?
Sealants can last for many years, but over time can weaken. You should get your teeth checked regularly for many reasons, of course. But if in the course of an examination it’s seen that a sealant is damaged or missing, it’s very easy to replace.
What does the application process look like for a sealant?
It will start with the dentist or hygienist cleaning your teeth thoroughly to prep them before sealing begins. Each tooth will then be dried and isolated with an absorbent material.
Next, a mild solution will be applied to the teeth to roughen up the chewing surfaces. After a few seconds, the solution will be washed off and the tooth will be dried once again. Then, the sealant is painted into the fissures or pits of the tooth surface. Some sealants will harden on their own in a minute while others will be “light-cured” and harden faster.
Contact Dr. Katie Orr for an Effective Dental Sealant
Our team wants to make sure you completely understand our treatments, so be sure to reach out if you have questions about our Indianapolis dental sealants. And if you’re ready to visit, schedule an appointment with us today. We look forward to seeing you in our office soon!