Dental Sealants in Bellmead, TX

Dental sealants are included as a part of preventive dentistry because they aim to reduce the risk of dental caries. Our trained dental professionals in Bellmead usually recommend dental sealants for young children and teenagers, but they are also beneficial for adults with high susceptibility to tooth decay.

The chewing surface of your teeth is exposed to food, debris, and bacteria of all kinds. Even after a thorough cleaning, some of these bacteria remain in the pits and fissures of your teeth. It can increase the risk of cavities. To counter this, we apply dental sealants to seal the cavity-prone areas and prevent bacteria and food debris accumulation. Dental sealants help smoothen out the chewing surface of your teeth, making them easier to clean with regular brushing.

Our team in Bellmead recommends dental sealants for young children as soon as their permanent molars erupt. In most cases, the first permanent molars erupt between the ages of 6 to 7 years. Later, premolars and second molars erupt in the next few years. The last teeth to erupt are the wisdom teeth which appear around the age of 17 to 21.

Although you can get dental sealants at any age, we usually recommend this prophylactic treatment for young children ages 6 to 12. Adults at high risk of dental caries should also get dental sealants to protect their teeth from further damage.

Before applying dental sealants, our dental team in Bellmead will first perform a preliminary dental exam to assess which teeth require more attention. The chewing surface of these teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and dried with cotton. Once the surface is completely dry, we will apply an acidic solution to the pits, grooves, and crevices of the teeth. It roughens up the tooth surface and allows better bonding with sealants. After 30 seconds to 1 minute, the acidic solution is rinsed, and the teeth are dried again. We will coat these prepared surfaces with dental sealants and cure them using a special light. Our team will ensure that the sealants have bonded well before the completion of this procedure. We will also provide follow-up instructions for proper dental care.

Because dental sealants are a part of preventive dentistry, most dental insurance plans cover them up to a certain extent. We will connect you with our insurance provider to learn about your individual and family benefits. If you do not have insurance, we will offer other affordable options to pay for dental sealants in Bellmead, TX. We aim to provide budget-friendly dental services to help all our patients maintain their beautiful smiles!