A sealant is a protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in children are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.
Left Image- Before Sealant Applied Right Image- Afer Sealant Applied
Preventive Resin Restorations
The goal of a preventive resin restoration is to seal and protect the grooves of the back teeth which are highly susceptible to decay. The ideal time to place this restoration is as soon as the tooth erupts through the gums, before bacteria has a chance to do permanent damage. A white flowable filling is then bonded into these grooves to seal them. On occasion, the cleaning of these grooves reveals decay which has already entered the tooth. This decay is then removed and a conventional white composite resin filling is placed. Early interceptive, minimally-invasive dental treatments such as a preventive resin restoration can help to preserve tooth structure with the intent of avoiding the destruction and potential discomfort of dental decay.
