As your son or daughter’s primary teeth are replaced by their permanent teeth, it’s natural for their back teeth to have deep pits and fissures on the biting surfaces. If residual food particles and plaque become trapped in these areas, it can lead to large areas of tooth decay.
When this occurs, your dentist, Dr. David Umansky, often has to use large inlay or onlay fillings to repair it. Even though these large fillings effectively repair the integrity of the biting surfaces, they could cause complications later on in life.
If they notices deep pits and fissures or other hard-to-clean areas on these teeth, your dentist might recommend placing dental sealants as a preventative measure.
Dental sealants in Humble, Texas, are basically durable, plastic, resin shells that the dentist paints onto the biting surfaces of the molars and premolars. A special ultraviolet light is then used to harden the resin, creating a barrier between any stuck-on plaque and food particles and the healthy tooth enamel.
We often recommend having dental sealants applied immediately following your regular dental checkup. This way we know the enamel is thoroughly cleaned and prepared. Once the sealants have hardened in place, they will be very durable. Even with brushing twice a day, they should last for many years.
If your son or daughter has all of their permanent teeth and you’re concerned about cavities, you should call Smile Big Pediatric Dentistry at 713-697-6453 to ask about dental sealants.