Why Dentists Encourage You to Get Sealants

If you have gone to a dentist regularly throughout your life, chances are you’ve heard the term “sealant” thrown around from time to time. The word may seem a little more intense than the actual procedure is, and it may cause some anxiety at first.

Though you may automatically decline this treatment when you hear the word “optional” after you heard “sealant,” you should keep in mind that many San Antonio dentists recommend this treatment for any one of their patients. There are some things you should know about sealants before flat out refusing the procedure.

What is It?

If you have never had a sealant put on before, you should find out what it is first. A sealant is a plastic-like coating that is applied to the biting surface of your tooth. This coating matches the shade of your tooth and is practically undetectable by the untrained eye. It should sit on your tooth and not affect your bite whatsoever. This protective layer is often applied to the molars in your mouth as soon as they come in because the enamel may be vulnerable on these teeth. These teeth typically are more susceptible to bacteria growth because of the deep grooves in the biting surface of the tooth. Toothbrush bristles may be to thick to penetrate deep into those grooves, but bacteria and sugar bugs are not. They can get caught in the cracks and stay there to burrow even deeper into your tooth.

Cost

The cost of sealants isn’t cheap, but it isn’t the most expensive procedure either. Typically insurance plans do not cover this service, so it is smart to ask your dentist about financing before you agree to have the service done. It usually runs about 25 to 35 dollars per tooth. The nice thing is that your molars don’t erupt all at once, so you’ll be able to pay for a few per visit without worrying about putting sealants on every tooth in your mouth. This procedure is also much cheaper than a cavity or a root canal because there is no drilling and an assistant can perform the whole procedure from start to finish. The treatment is completely painless and takes about 15 minutes per tooth to do. All in all, this procedure is fairly simple to get through and it will save you money in the long run as you prevent potential cavities from forming. It is easy to see why most San Antonio dentists recommend this procedure.