Dental Sealant Los Angeles
What is Dental Sealant?
Dental Sealant is a thin layer of plastic like material that is laid/placed over a tooth to help protect it from dental caries (cavities) and dental decay or commonly known as tooth decay. If you think of dental sealant like a thin layer of gel that is placed on the tooth that will give you a better idea of this type of dental sealant and the use of it in a practical sense in the field of dentistry. Dental sealant is easy to use and effective in protecting the teeth against dental decay. In addition to this information, dental sealant is often times used on the back molars to protect the tooth from dental decay and can also be placed on the front teeth should that be apparent and necessary.
Why is Sealant Used?
Dental Sealant is used to protect the teeth from damage and dental decay and may also be used to stop grinding and lower the chances of bruxism related issues from the grinding. Likewise dental sealant is also used to protect the teeth from tooth decay. As good as someone is at cleaning, brushing and flossing their teeth, it is difficult to get get into the nooks and crannies in the teeth where food particles and bacteria sit dormant because they cannot be reached. But using dental sealant, the dentist is actually blocking the bacteria and food particles out and “sealing” the teeth if you will.
How are Dental Sealants Applied?
Dental Sealant is a simple and effortless procedure that usually does not take very long at all to complete. It takes only a few minutes and is a procedure that is a breeze to almost all dentists. Below we outline the actual process of how the sealant is applied to the tooth area:
- The most important step is the first step, this is where the teeth are cleaned thoroughly to ensure that there is no food or food particles that are stuck in the area or on the tooth.
- The second step involves drying the tooth and making sure that all the areas around the teeth are dried as well. This is important to make sure that the sealant sticks firmly to the tooth and does not cause any bacteria to seep in and under the sealant and get in the tooth structure.
- The third step involves placing an acid solution on the tooth that is about to get the dental sealant done on it. This acid solution helps to roughen up the area and the toot that is receiving the dental sealant to ensure that the sealant sticks and binds properly to the tooth.
- the fourth step involves rinsing and drying the tooth and getting all the acid wash out of the mouth. Once this is complete, the tooth is prepped and prepared to start the actual sealant application process.
- Step five – applying the sealant to the tooth. The sealant is pasted like toothpaste or paint on the tooth and lathered up to ensure that there is a nice coating on the tooth structure. Once its finally applied, the sealant should stick and bond to the tooth. In some instances, a special curing light is used to make sure that the tooth and the sealant more importantly is properly bonding and stuck to the tooth structure
How long does Sealant last?
Most Sealants can last upwards of 10 years if proper oral hygiene is in place and as long as you are regularly brushing and flossing the teeth. Your dentist will most likely check up and continue to monitor the sealant at every dental checkup to ensure that the sealant is still in place and not falling out. As long as everything is okay, the dental sealant will remain in place and the sealant will remain active and beneficial for again, upwards of 10 years. Obviously this varies on a number of variables including the diligence of cleaning and ability to properly maintain oral hygiene.
How much does it cost to get your teeth Sealed?
In most cases, dental sealant is covered by dental insurance as long as you have dental insurance. Interestingly enough, dental sealant is one of the the lesser expensive procedures when it comes to dentistry and for that reason, even if the dental sealant is not covered by the dental insurance either PPO or HMO, it is still a good idea to pay for this type of service out of the pocket as it can really benefit the patient and save money in the future as it prevents dental decay.
Does my PPO Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Sealant?
Most Dental Insurances will cover the cost of dental insurances but only for those that are younger than 18 years of age and not for those that are any older. However, dental sealant is still a good idea even for the elder and middle aged. When it comes to PPO dental insurance and HMO Dental insurance, you’ll have to check with you dental insurance to ensure that they do in fact cover the sealant. However, as a general rule of thumb, those with dental PPO insurance will usually be able to get dental sealant covered by their insurance as long as they are under 18 years of age.
Where can I Find Dental Sealant Professionals in Los Angeles?
If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist to help you with your dental sealant needs, be sure to checkout Dr. Arash Hakhamian DDS – Cosmetic & Emergency Dentist & Dental Implants Specialist to help with your dental needs and ensure that all your dental needs are being taken care of. Sealants are an extremely powerful way to protect the teeth of younger children and Dr. Arash Hakhamian can help seal the teeth to prevent dental decay and ensure good oral hygiene as well as longevity of your teeth.
Call Now (310) 666 – 5701
2002 S Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90007