Dental Sealants in New York City for Tooth Decay Prevention
Effective Tooth Decay Prevention in Midtown East & Upper East Side
Even with practicing good oral hygiene, adults and children alike may still be at risk of developing tooth decay. Some areas of higher risk are the molars and premolars, which are more susceptible to wear and tear, and therefore, tooth decay. Even more in jeopardy are children, who generally love munching on sugary foods and a less robust brushing and flossing routine than adults. Luckily for the residents of Upper Eastside Manhattan, Dr. Lazare and his team provide dental sealants to help protect your teeth from potential or further tooth decay.
Contact us online today or at (332) 334-8290 to schedule an appointment for dental sealants.
Understanding Dental Sealants and Their Purpose
A dental sealant is a thin coating, usually made of polymer or resin, applied to the surface of your molars and premolars for extra dental protection. Those with deep pits and fissures on their chewing surfaces might not be cleaning their teeth entirely, since the toothbrush’s bristles may not be able to reach the food and plaque stuck within these deep grooves. This leftover debris can result in decay-causing bacteria and acids within your mouth to erode the enamel and cause cavities to form.
Key Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants can aid in preventing cavities and tooth decay from occurring by filling up the deep grooves and pits to help facilitate brushing. The sealants will be checked periodically to ensure that they are still properly intact and doing their job. If necessary, Dr. Lazare can reapply a sealant for your dental protection and to help mitigate the chances of needing any restorative procedure should cavities or other oral issues arise.
Step-by-Step Sealant Application Process
Applying a dental sealant is easy and painless, and it requires only a few minutes per tooth. The first step is to thoroughly clean the tooth and verify that no decay needs a filling. Once the tooth has been double-checked for cleanliness, the tooth is etched with a weak acid solution that will help the sealant bond with the tooth. The sealant is then applied to the grooves of the tooth, and depending on the material used, the sealant will harden naturally or by using a specialized blue light.
Please contact us online today or at (332) 334-8290 to schedule an appointment for dental sealants.
Frequent Dental Sealants Questions
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How Much Does It Cost to Have Your Teeth Sealed?On average, a dental sealant procedure without insurance can cost between $35-$60 per tooth needing sealant. Cleaning the teeth may not be lumped in with the total price, the process costing between $50-$135 without insurance. There are different payment options available, however, and sealants are considered an overall affordable measure for oral hygiene.
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How Long Do Sealants Last For?Depending on what type of material was applied, what types of food are being eaten (harder, crunchier foods can wear them down faster), and how good the home care is, sealants can last several years before they may need to be reapplied.
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How Are Dental Sealants Applied?Each sealant only takes a few minutes to place. First, the teeth are cleaned well and checked to make sure that no decay is present. If there are any signs of decay in those grooves, then they must be cleaned out and filled with the sealant material or a filling material if deeper. Once the chewing surfaces are cleaned, they are roughened up with an etchant (weak acid solution), and a primer and adhesive to enable the sealant material to bond to the tooth enamel. The sealant material is hardened by a light source, operating at a certain wavelength, to set the material and make it solid.
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Who Are Ideal Candidates for Dental Sealants?Both Children and Adults are candidates for dental sealants. Since children don’t lose their baby molars until the age of twelve, it is important to protect these teeth from developing cavities and problems that can affect the developing adult teeth. Adolescents are very prone to developing cavities due to their dietary habits and poor home care, and the sealants can help to prevent decay in the grooves of the teeth that usually get passed over during a quick brushing. Any adult can benefit from sealants as well, making it easier for cleaning out the food and plaque, and giving them an extra line of defense in the battle against tooth decay.
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What Are Dental Sealants?Dental sealants are tooth-colored or clear shaded resin (plastic) material that gets applied and bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to fill in the pits and grooves of the teeth making them easier to clean (by making the grooves more shallow and smooth) and creates a barrier that makes them less likely to develop tooth decay.
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Friendly reception always makes a first impression on me. The location is right off of Park Avenue 14th and had a really cool view of the city. The office was clean and modern, all things needed for a perfect visit.
- Thomas
to Get Started? Call Us at 332-334-8290 or Schedule Your Next Visit
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Monday: 8am - 5pm
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Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
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Wednesday: 10am - 7pm
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Thursday: 8am - 5pm
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Friday: 8am - 5pm
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Saturday: 9am - 6pm
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Sunday: Closed