Dental Sealants in Northfield, IL

At North Dental, we focus on preventive care to help you and your family maintain healthy, beautiful smiles for years to come. One of the best ways to protect your teeth from cavities, especially in children and teens, is by applying dental sealants. Located in Northfield, IL, our practice offers this simple yet effective treatment to patients from surrounding areas like Winnetka, Glenview, and Wilmette.

Sealants are a great option for safeguarding the teeth that are most prone to decay, particularly the molars and premolars. These teeth have grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria often get trapped, leading to cavities. At North Dental, our experienced team led by Dr. Phillip Moorad can apply dental sealants to protect these vulnerable areas and provide long-lasting protection for your smile.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They act as a barrier that shields the teeth from harmful bacteria and food particles, which can lead to decay. The application of sealants is painless, quick, and a key component of preventive dental care.

While sealants are particularly effective for children and teens, who are more prone to cavities due to developing oral hygiene habits, they are also beneficial for adults who have deep grooves in their teeth or are at a higher risk of decay.

The Benefits of Dental Sealants

Sealants offer several benefits for protecting your teeth, particularly the molars and premolars:

• Cavity Prevention: The most significant benefit of sealants is their ability to prevent cavities. By filling in the grooves and pits of the teeth, sealants create a smooth surface that is easier to clean and less likely to harbor bacteria and food particles.
• Quick and Painless Application: Applying sealants is a non-invasive and painless procedure. It can be completed in a single visit, often right after a dental exam and cleaning. No anesthesia is required, making it especially child-friendly.
• Long-Lasting Protection: Sealants provide long-lasting protection for your teeth. With proper care, they can last for several years before needing to be reapplied.
• Complements Other Preventive Care: Sealants are an excellent addition to a preventive care routine that includes fluoride treatments, professional cleanings, and regular oral cancer screenings.

Who Can Benefit from Dental Sealants?

While children and teenagers are the primary candidates for sealants, adults can also benefit from this preventive treatment. Here’s who should consider getting dental sealants:

• Children and Teens: The molars and premolars are the teeth most prone to decay, especially in younger patients. Sealants are often applied once these permanent teeth erupt, typically around ages 6 to 14. The application of sealants helps prevent cavities during these critical years.
• Adults with Deep Grooves or a History of Decay: Adults who have deep grooves in their molars or have experienced frequent cavities may also benefit from sealants. Even if you’ve had fillings or other restorative dental work, applying sealants can help protect your remaining tooth structure from future decay.
• Patients with Orthodontic Treatments: Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign, may find it more challenging to clean the back teeth thoroughly. Sealants provide an extra layer of protection during orthodontic care.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Applying dental sealants is a quick and painless process that can be completed in just one visit:

1. Cleaning the Tooth Surface: First, we thoroughly clean the tooth's surface to remove any plaque and food particles.
2. Prepping the Tooth: After cleaning, we apply a special solution to the tooth that helps the sealant bond to the enamel. The tooth is then rinsed and dried.
3. Application of the Sealant: The sealant is carefully painted onto the chewing surface of the tooth, filling in the grooves and pits.
4. Curing the Sealant: A special light is used to harden the sealant, creating a protective barrier. Once applied, the sealant will protect the tooth from decay for several years.

This simple and fast procedure provides long-lasting protection for vulnerable teeth, reducing the need for more complex dental treatments down the road.

Caring for Your Sealants

Dental sealants require little maintenance beyond regular oral hygiene practices. Brushing and flossing daily, combined with regular dental cleanings, will help ensure the longevity of your sealants. Our team will check the condition of your sealants during your routine dental visits and reapply them as needed to maintain their effectiveness.