Sealants are clear, acrylic-like material that helps shield decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of your back teeth.

This is a proven technique that may be suitable for preventing decay in these areas of the back teeth. At Dental Excellence our goal is to help preserve your smile throughout your lifetime and Sealants help make that possible.

Mainly used for children; Sealants may be applied once the six-year molars (the first prominent back teeth) appear. During childhood teeth are at their most cavity-prone and we recommend applying Sealants as early as possible. Adults may also benefit from Sealants, if the chewing surfaces of their back teeth have not had fillings or have detectable decay.

Sealants can help prevent decay as the material bonds to the chewing surface of the back teeth, forming a protective barrier covering the pits and fissures (depressions and grooves) of the chewing surfaces. Once fitted, Sealants may last for a number of years depending upon your chewing pattern. The sealants we use at Dental Excellence actually contain and release fluoride into the tooth, making the sealed grooves more resistant to decay in the future.

Sealants may be applied to your teeth in as little as one consultation. Firstly, a mild acid solution is gently applied to the chewing surface. This prepares the tooth enamel to bond more effectively to the Sealant material. The tooth is then thoroughly washed and dried. Finally, the Sealant material is applied to the tooth and hardened by an ultra violet curing light. That's all there is to it!

The material used in Sealants is quite durable, however, chewing on ice cubes, hard candy or sticky foods should be avoided. However, there are some great snack alternatives;

• Peanut butter
• Popcorn
• Fresh Vegetables (carrot sticks or celery sticks)
• Fruit (unpeeled apples, orange sections, bananas or grapes)
• Fruit yogurt
• Cheese
• Dry unsweetened cereal or sugar-free granola

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Cosmetic Dentist in Castle Hill, Sydney (NSW) : Dental Excellence is located in Castle Hill, Sydney (NSW ) and provides Cosmetic, Reconstructive and Implant Dentistry.