Sealants prevent tooth decay, promptly stop cavities to restore a healthy smile
Many times, tooth loss can be avoided with professional preventive services at the dentist’s office. After all, the two leading causes of tooth loss are progressive conditions. Gum disease starts as inflammation. Tooth decay begins as enamel erosion. When detected and treated promptly by Dr. Anna Abel or Dr. Chuong Phan, decay and disease can be halted, and its effects can even be reversed.
Dental sealants are among the professional services administered by our team in Sterling, Virginia. When placed on decay-prone back teeth, these thin, BPA-free plastic coatings quite literally “seal out” harmful bacteria and food particles. Pre-molars and molars are grooved and pitted. Uneven surfaces tend to trap food. Lingering food and harmful oral bacteria are a destructive mix; they promote the development of plaque. This sticky film produces acids that erode at the tooth’s structure, starting with the outermost protective enamel covering. They also release toxins that degrade the healthy attachment between the gums and teeth.
Sealants prevent and stop decay
Sealants may be recommended to children as young as age five or six. Around this time, the permanent molars break through the gums: the earlier we can place sealants, the better. There is no opportunity for food to be left behind, which contributes to the harmful process of plaque formation, and progressive tooth decay may be characterized by holes (cavities) in the teeth. They can also be used to halt the progression of tooth decay among those with early-stage disease. The American Dental Association reports an 80% reduction in cavities among those patients whose permanent molars were treated with dental sealants.
While sealants as a protective measure for pediatric patients is a good idea, this service is not just for children. Most anyone who is at heightened risk of developing tooth decay may be a great candidate for sealants. They are also helpful for those pediatric and adult patients who may have a hard time cleaning their back teeth thoroughly due to their hard-to-reach locations.
Preventive treatment can be completed in moments:
- Sealants are applied as a liquid on dry and clean teeth. That can be done during a regular check-up at our practice.
- The sealant liquid oozes into the nooks and crannies of the teeth.
- The material is hardened and secured with a specialized light-based dental instrument to ensure a strong bond between the sealant and the natural tooth.
As a preventive product, dental sealants may be 100% covered by your dental insurance plan. Additionally, they can last for years with good care. During your regular visits, we will check how well your sealants are holding off. In this manner, they can best seal and protect your teeth.
Call (571) 450-9848 to schedule your appointment at Abel, Phan, & Associates, proudly serving Potomac Falls, Herndon, Ashburn, and greater Loudoun County.
Dr. phan
Dr. Abel
Husband and wife duo Drs. Chuong Phan and Anna Abel lead the Abel, Phan, and Associates dental team.
Dr. Phan is a Howard University College of Dentistry graduate and has practiced for over 20 years. His favorite clinical procedures are orthodontic and endodontic treatments, including root canal therapy. He has been trained in many prestigious institutes. Dr. Abel graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and has over 20 years of experience. Her favorite procedures are cosmetic services like veneers, implants, and oral surgery. She has trained with top-level organizations.
Both doctors are regular volunteers at Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, providing care to low-income patients, for which they have received many honors. They have also volunteered to help disadvantaged communities, especially children, through many foreign missions.