Sealants in Arlington Heights, IL
Protect your teeth against cavities at The Heights Dental Gallery.
Prevent Cavities with Sealants
Stop cavities from forming with a discreet barrier coating.
Brushing and flossing help prevent cavities, but the teeth in the back of the mouth called molars may be hard to reach, especially the nooks and crannies for young children. Food can easily get trapped in these spots with cavity-causing bacteria that lead to irreversible tooth decay.
Sealants help protect these hard to reach teeth with a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, creating a barrier between the tooth and bacteria. Sealants help protect natural, undamaged teeth and can even work to guard teeth with early signs of decay.
Sealants work on:
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Primary baby teeth
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Permanent adult teeth
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Pristine teeth and teeth with early-stage decay
Prevent new cavities from forming or keep minor ones from worsening into a cavity with sealants.
Reasons to Get Sealants on Teeth
Here are just a few reasons why kids and adults benefit from tooth sealants.
How Sealants Work
Dental sealants at The Heights Dental Gallery are quick and easy to apply.
After an exam at The Heights Dental Gallery in Arlington Heights, IL we’ll determine if you or your child can benefit from tooth sealants to prevent cavities. The process is quick and painless.
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Step 1
Sealants are placed on the grooves of teeth, typically the back teeth, which are harder to reach while brushing. First, the tooth is cleaned, and the area is dried.
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Step 2
An acidic gel is placed on the area to make it slightly rougher and easier for the sealant to bond.
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Step 3
We rinse off the gel, dry, and apply the sealant and harden with a curing light. The barrier of protection is ready to seal out food and plaque from entering teeth grooves.
The entire process takes just a few minutes to complete, and sealants are quick and easy to apply. The cavity prevention treatment is safe and can last for several years.
Our Arlington Heights, IL dentist will check the sealant’s integrity to ensure it’s intact and effectively protecting your tooth during regular dental visits. If cracked, chipped, or worn, we’ll easily replace the sealant.
FAQ about Sealants
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Are sealants good for teeth?
Yes, sealants are beneficial to teeth in that they prevent tooth decay. Sealants prevent bacteria and food from getting into the grooves of your teeth in the back of your mouth. The protective shield is safe and successfully prevents cavities.
When trapped food particles combine with the mouth’s natural cavity-causing bacteria, an acid produces that can cause holes in teeth (AKA cavities). Sealants work as a barrier to keep food from getting stuck in hard to reach places on teeth so that cavities never have a chance to form.
In the long run, you’ll save time and money with sealants because they safely and effectively protect teeth from tooth decay and costly dental repairs. They’re painless and quick and easy to apply!
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Should adults get sealants on their teeth?
Sealants are most often used on children and teens to prevent cavities, but adults might benefit from sealants as well. Sealants are only for teeth that don’t have fully-formed cavities. If there is slight staining or early decay in a tooth’s grooves, the dentist may recommend a sealant application to prevent a full cavity formation.
Prevention of tooth decay is key to good oral health, and sealants do a great job of protecting molars that are hard to reach while brushing. A cavity can be expensive, but a sealant that prevents cavities is more affordable and saves your tooth from irreversible damage.
Sealants are great for children and adults, especially children who are still learning to thoroughly brush their teeth. The sooner children get sealants, the better so that their teeth can stay cavity-free.
These coatings work to protect both primary baby teeth and permanent adult teeth. Contact us to see if you or your child are candidates for dental sealants in Arlington Heights, IL.
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How long do dental sealants take?
Sealants are quick and easy to apply. The dental hygienist or dentist can seal a tooth in just a few minutes.
The application is quick, but the cavity protection can last for years, giving peace of mind for your oral health.
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Can you get sealants on teeth with fillings?
Sealants only work on pristine teeth or teeth with very early decay. With minor decay, the sealant application prevents further damage.
Tooth sealants are applied to teeth before there’s any serious decay or fillings. Many adults may have slight decay that can be sealed to prevent a full cavity from forming.
Once there’s a filling, a sealant no longer makes sense because the cavity has already formed.
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Can you chew gum with sealants?
Avoid chewy, sticky, or hard foods if you have sealants on your teeth.
Also, avoid chewing gum or eating chewy caramel candy. You should also avoid biting ice or croutons. Certain foods put you at risk of cracking or damaging the sealant. If a sealant is cracked or chipped, please contact us directly, and we can reapply the coating for adequate cavity protection.
Schedule Your Appointment
Monday: Admin Hours
Tuesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 2:00pm (Varies)
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