facebook

Dental Sealants

Since your dentist is mainly concerned with preserving your oral health, they offer a variety of preventative treatments. One of these treatments is known as dental sealants. Like their name suggests, dental sealants work by sealing the tooth enamel to prevent tooth decay from forming. Most dental sealants are placed over the chewing surface of molars, since their bumpy texture makes them more susceptible to tooth decay. Because of this, dental sealants are sometimes known as pit and fissure sealants. After a sealant has been placed, it acts as a shield to protect the natural tooth structure from bacteria.

Did you know…

Dental sealants can be made out of the same composite resin used for composite fillings. This means that they will blend with the natural tooth structure and are not noticeable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for dental sealants?

The best candidates for dental sealants are children or individuals who struggle with brushing or flossing properly, although anyone can use dental sealants as a preventative treatment. However, dental sealants should not be used as a replacement for daily brushing and flossing. To determine if dental sealants are right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sanket Upadhyay at Birch Point Dental Clinic today.

What can I expect when having a dental sealant placed at Birch Point Dental Clinic?

Having dental sealants placed is an easy and quick procedure. Before placing the sealant, however, your teeth will need to be thoroughly cleaned by a dental hygienist. This removes all the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surface of your teeth in order to provide a clean surface for the sealant. After your teeth have been cleaned, then an ultra-thin layer of composite resin is brushed over the surface of the designated teeth. Then, the composite resin is hardened using a special curing light. This process will be repeated for as many teeth that require dental sealants.

How long do dental sealants last?

After having your dental sealant placed, it will be the most effective in the first two years, but will still be about 50% effective until the four year mark. Although you can leave sealants in place for up to nine years, this is not recommended since they are no longer very effective after year four. Additionally, if your sealant becomes damaged, it can allow bacteria to get trapped underneath. This is why most dentists recommend replacing dental sealants every 2-4 years.

Do dental sealants have BPA?

Recently there has been some talk about BPA being used in dental sealants. While dental sealants themselves do not contain BPA, it is a byproduct of their fabrication process. However, there is such a miniscule amount of BPA that it is considered to be safe. In fact, more BPA is contained in the air around you than is associated with sealants. There are also some variations of dental sealants that are completely BPA-free. Overall, the Canadian Dental Association supports the appropriate use of dental sealants for use on primary and permanent teeth.

Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Sanket Upadhyay at Birch Point Dental Clinic. Located in the Bay & Algoma neighborhood, our location allows you to have your teeth looked at while also providing the opportunity to shop local and enjoy spaghetti take out at the famous Italian Cultural Centre across the street.

All Treatment Options

same day dentistry thunder bay

Same Day Dentistry

Indirect dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, or veneers are those that are fabricated outside of the mouth

Woman having pain in jaw

Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can occur at any time and often require prompt treatment by an experienced emergency dentist. At Birch Point

clear Invisalign bracket on isolated background

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is a type of orthodontic treatment that utilizes a clear aligner appliance to gradually optimize the position of the

composite dental filling procedure

Fillings

Fillings are restorative dental procedures used to restore decayed teeth. They are used to fill dental cavities in order to

doctor examining dental x-rays

Digital X-Rays

Digital x-rays are low-radiation dental x-rays that allow Dr. Sanket Upadhyay to take a closer look at the health of

doctor holding mouth guard

Mouth Guard

Mouthguards are dental appliances made to fit over the teeth in order to protect them from damage. There are different

patient receiving dental sealant treatment

Dental Sealants

Since your dentist is mainly concerned with preserving your oral health, they offer a variety of preventative treatments. One of

before and after dental whitening treatment

Teeth Whitening

Over the years, our teeth develop stains and discolorations from a variety of different sources. While highly pigmented foods and

close up of teeth after veneer treatment

Veneers

Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that are adhered to the front side of visible teeth in order to improve their

patient receiving dental bonding treatment

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding or cosmetic bonding, is a minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure. It uses composite

same day dentistry thunder bay

Same Day Dentistry

Indirect dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, or veneers are those that are fabricated outside of the mouth

Woman having pain in jaw

Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can occur at any time and often require prompt treatment by an experienced emergency dentist. At Birch Point

clear Invisalign bracket on isolated background

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is a type of orthodontic treatment that utilizes a clear aligner appliance to gradually optimize the position of the

composite dental filling procedure

Fillings

Fillings are restorative dental procedures used to restore decayed teeth. They are used to fill dental cavities in order to

Root Canals

Root canals are restorative dental procedures used to remove infected tissue from the inside of the tooth. When a tooth

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are procedures performed when one or more teeth poses a risk to the rest of your oral health.

set of complete dentures on isolated background

Dentures

Dentures are partial or full sets of fake teeth. Partial dentures are used in cases where there are multiple missing

dental crown on isolated background

Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns are a type of restoration used to restore damaged or decayed teeth, while dental bridges are used to

patient receiving dental bonding treatment

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding or cosmetic bonding, is a minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure. It uses composite

close up of teeth after veneer treatment

Veneers

Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that are adhered to the front side of visible teeth in order to improve their

before and after dental whitening treatment

Teeth Whitening

Over the years, our teeth develop stains and discolorations from a variety of different sources. While highly pigmented foods and

patient receiving dental sealant treatment

Dental Sealants

Since your dentist is mainly concerned with preserving your oral health, they offer a variety of preventative treatments. One of

doctor holding mouth guard

Mouth Guard

Mouthguards are dental appliances made to fit over the teeth in order to protect them from damage. There are different

doctor examining dental x-rays

Digital X-Rays

Digital x-rays are low-radiation dental x-rays that allow Dr. Sanket Upadhyay to take a closer look at the health of