Sealants

We offer a variety of prosthetics to repair dental damage at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, but when it comes to healthy teeth, a sealant can be most useful. Children are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay, so we often talk to their parents about getting sealants during regular dental check-ups.

The crevices in our molars and premolars can easily get caked in food debris. The shape of these teeth is necessary for them to grind up food, but they are hard to keep clean and food debris stuck in them may remain in place for several hours. Sealants are plastic shields for the teeth that smooth over crevices. They are thin enough to allow the chewing teeth to continue to function, but add a layer of protection against acid and make brushing easier.

Placing a sealant doesn’t require any preparation from the patient. After cleaning a tooth, we’ll apply an etching acid to increase its surface area. This will allow it to more easily bond with the liquid sealant. We will then use a blue light to harden the plastic, and the patient should be able to soon resume eating normally.

Drs. Denise VeyVoda and Robert G. West operate The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 123 South Street, Oyster Bay, New York, 11771. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.