What Are Occlusal Grooves?

Occlusal grooves are the grooves present on the surface of the molars and premolars. They can house millions of bacteria, which have the ability to erode the enamel to a large extent. Though the grooves look pretty tiny, just as wide as a crack, they can turn into breeding grounds for microbes if not cleaned well.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants have been used for a long time now as a means of preventing cavities. They are made from an acrylic material that is applied to the grooves in order to seal them off completely. This way, the grooves will be covered and microbes will not have an entry into them, thereby preventing the chances of developing cavities.

Sealants can be made from tooth-colored material that would look exactly like the natural tooth enamel, making them virtually undetectable. They are highly durable, tough, and withstand regular stresses. Moreover, they wouldn’t interfere with the everyday oral activities such as biting, chewing, or brushing the teeth.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Prior to starting the procedure, the teeth will be screened for factors such as cavities, discoloration, wear, tartar build-up, etc. The teeth receiving sealants will be cleaned thoroughly to get rid of microbes. In case the grooves have cavities, the decay will be removed and the cavity will be disinfected. A suitable etching solution will be used to roughen the surface of the teeth so that the sealant can adhere well to its surface. The acrylic sealant will be applied to the tooth and shaped accordingly. It will be hardened using a suitable curing light. Once finished and polished, the sealant would offer excellent protection against microbes and prevent cavities.

Get in touch with Dentist Aurora IL by calling (630) 897-1300 or schedule an online appointment to know more about dental sealants.