Dental Sealants Mississauga

Have you heard of dental sealants? At Smile Horizons Dental Arts in Mississauga, we offer sealants as a simple and effective way to protect teeth from cavities and decay. Knowing how they work can help you decide if they’re right for you.

Sealants are a preventive measure that can help both children and adults maintain strong, healthy teeth. Talk to our team to learn more about whether sealants are a good option for you or your child.

What Do Sealants Do?

Sealants act like a protective shield for your teeth. They cover the chewing surfaces of molars, where food and bacteria often get trapped. This simple barrier helps prevent cavities and decay, keeping teeth healthier for longer. With proper care, sealants can last up to 10 years.

How Are Sealants Applied?

If you choose sealants at Smile Horizons Dental Arts, our team will guide you through the process and answer all your questions. The application is quick, painless, and straightforward:

1. Cleaning

The tooth is thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque and food particles. This prepares the surface for the best bond.

2. Etching

An acid-etching solution is applied to the chewing surface. This creates a rough, porous texture that is critical for helping the sealant adhere.

3. Rinsing and Drying

The etching solution is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried completely. Isolation with cotton rolls is essential to prevent saliva from ruining the bond.

4. Application

The liquid sealant material is painted directly onto the chewing surfaces, flowing into and filling the tiny pits and fissures.

5. Curing

A special curing light is focused on the applied material. The light chemically reacts with the sealant to quickly harden and set it.

6. Evaluation

The dentist checks the sealant to ensure it has bonded correctly, there are no gaps, and that the patient's bite is comfortable and correct.

The sealant is a thin, protective plastic coating that shields the chewing surfaces of your molars from decay.

Who Can Benefit From Sealants?

Sealants are recommended for both children and adults. Dentists often suggest them for kids, since their molars are at higher risk for cavities. Adults who experience frequent cavities can also benefit. Research shows that sealants can prevent 78% to 87% of new cavities within the first year and continue to reduce cavities by 33% to 69% over two or more years.