Dental sealants provide an essential barrier against tooth decay, especially for children and teenagers with developing permanent teeth. At Newport Beach Dental Center, we offer professional dental sealant application as part of our comprehensive preventive dentistry services, helping patients maintain healthy smiles while avoiding costly treatments down the road.
Newport Beach dentist Dr. Laura Sharbash brings years of experience in protecting smiles throughout Newport Beach. As a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and a practitioner focused on minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Sharbash recommends sealants as an effective measure for preventing cavities in patients of all ages.
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. These back teeth contain deep grooves and depressions where food particles and bacteria can easily become trapped. Even thorough brushing cannot always reach these decay-prone areas effectively. Sealants work by creating a smooth protective layer over these vulnerable surfaces, preventing bacteria and food from settling in the grooves and causing decay.
The protective coating bonds directly to the tooth enamel, forming a shield against cavity-causing bacteria. This preventive treatment is particularly beneficial for children and teenagers, though adults with decay-prone teeth can also benefit from dental sealants.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we want you to have a comfortable, positive experience, so we guide you through every step of the dental sealing process.
The application of dental sealants at our Newport Beach dental office is quick, painless, and non-invasive. First, the teeth receiving sealants are thoroughly cleaned to remove any plaque or food debris. Next, each tooth is dried completely and surrounded with cotton to keep it dry throughout the procedure.
An acid solution is briefly applied to the chewing surfaces to roughen them slightly, creating a better bonding surface for the sealant. After rinsing and drying the teeth again, Dr. Sharbash carefully applies the liquid sealant material into the grooves of the tooth. The final step involves using a special curing light to harden the sealant, creating a durable protective barrier.
The entire procedure takes only minutes per tooth and causes no discomfort, making it ideal for patients of all ages, including children. No drilling or removal of tooth structure is needed, aligning perfectly with our practice’s minimally invasive philosophy.
Dental sealants offer significant advantages as part of a comprehensive preventive dental care strategy. When applied by experienced professionals like those at Newport Beach Dental Center, sealants provide immediate protection that continues working for years.
One of the most valuable aspects of dental sealants is their durability. With proper care, sealants can protect teeth for up to 10 years. During regular dental checkups at our Newport Beach office, Dr. Sharbash will examine your sealants for wear or chipping and can repair or replace them as needed to maintain continuous protection.
Investing in dental sealants represents a fraction of the cost of treating cavities and their complications. By preventing decay before it starts, sealants help patients avoid more extensive and expensive dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, or even root canals that might otherwise become necessary.
While dental sealants are most commonly recommended for children as their permanent molars emerge (typically around ages six and 12), they can benefit patients of any age with deep grooves in their teeth. The materials used in modern dental sealants are safe, BPA-free, and have been thoroughly studied for long-term use in the mouth.
Dental sealants and fillings serve different purposes in dental care. Sealants are preventive treatments that protect healthy teeth from developing cavities. Fillings, on the other hand, are restorative treatments used after decay has already damaged a tooth.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we emphasize preventive care whenever possible. Our holistic approach focuses on preserving natural tooth structure rather than waiting until restoration becomes necessary. By applying sealants to vulnerable teeth, we can often help patients avoid the need for fillings entirely.
When comparing the two procedures, sealant application is non-invasive and preserves 100% of the natural tooth structure. Fillings, while necessary for treating existing decay, require the removal of damaged tooth material and are more complex procedures.
Children and teenagers benefit most from dental sealants because their newly erupted permanent teeth are particularly vulnerable to decay. The chewing surfaces of back teeth are the most common sites for cavities in young patients, making sealants an especially valuable preventive measure.
During your family’s regular checkups at Newport Beach Dental Center, Dr. Sharbash will evaluate whether dental sealants would benefit your child’s oral health. Our team takes time to explain the procedure in age-appropriate terms, ensuring young patients feel comfortable and understand the importance of this preventive treatment.
Protect your family’s smiles with dental sealants from Newport Beach Dental Center. Dr. Laura Sharbash brings years of experience and advanced credentials to provide exceptional preventive dental care for patients throughout Newport Beach and Orange County. Our minimally invasive approach focuses on preserving natural tooth structure while preventing future problems.
Don’t wait until cavities develop to take action. Contact our office today at (949) 760-9212 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment and learn more about how dental sealants can be incorporated into your family’s preventive dental care plan. Our modern office with garden views provides a comfortable setting for all your dental needs, from preventive care to cosmetic and restorative treatments.
1441 Avocado Ave, Ste 606 Newport Beach, CA 92660
