The occlusal surfaces, or biting surfaces, of molars and premolars in the back of your mouth are called upon to do a significant amount chewing and grinding the foods you eat. Many people have deep pits and fissures in the tooth enamel. This helps make the teeth more efficient for the task at hand. However, they can also trap food material and bacteria, encouraging tooth decay to form.
These cavities tend to be rather large and, as such, they require large fillings. As the years go by, they could prove problematic.
Should your dentist, Dr. John Blake, notice a situation like this, he might recommend applying dental sealants to the teeth as a preventative measure.
This creates a thin, durable, plastic, resin barrier on the biting surfaces of molars and premolars. A special ultraviolet light will be used to harden the resin, creating a protective layer. If plaque and food particles get trapped on the biting surfaces, the dental sealants will prevent bacteria from having direct access to the underlying tooth enamel.
Dental sealants are often applied immediately after your dental checkup. This way we known the tooth enamel is completely clean of plaque and food particles. The dental sealants are very durable and can help protect the biting surfaces for several years.
If you’re concerned about preserving the health of your back teeth and you’re interested in dental sealants in Lake Orion, Michigan, you should call 248-693-5800 to schedule an appointment regarding dental sealants at John Blake, DDS, PC.