Sealants

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS applies sealants for young patients to start protecting teeth early and help children avoid becoming part of this statistic.  Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early. 

In children and teenagers, most tooth decay occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars where the pits and grooves can trap food and bacteria.  Dental sealants are applied to surfaces of these back teeth much like paint. The plastic resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface and hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, and bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  Sealants also protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids, and can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years.

To learn more about sealants and all the services we provide, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.