If you are parent, you must have good understanding about
the importance of protecting your child’s teeth in a way like that protecting
permanent teeth. Dentists think in the same way. Therefore, it is a general
recommendation by American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry for the sealants to
be applied to the first and second set of permanent molars. These molars
usually appear in the mouth at the age of 6 and 12. Furthermore, the dentist may
also feel the need of replacing sealants well before the arrival of permanent
teeth. But there have to be some reasons for this replacement.
The dental sealants
Before we talk about re-application of sealants, it is worth
discussing what the sealants really are. Sealant is basically a hardened
plastic shield which is applied to the molar sides which come under impact
while chewing foods. In other words, the
sealants basically seal the surfaces of molars and pre-molars. The main job of
sealants is to keep food particles and bacteria from settling in the uneven
gaps and cause tooth decay. This way, you can prevent the cavities in your
child’s teeth. According to a study by Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, “sealants where shown to
reduce decay in permanent molars by 81% approximately 2 years after placement
and continue to be effective up to 4.5 years after placement.”
So, if you are really curious about getting your child’s
molars protected from tooth decay and cavities, dental sealants is the way to go.
Is sealant
replacement a common procedure?
The replacement of sealants is not very common. However, it
doesn’t really mean that it’s a complicated process. Re-application should be
as easier as the first-time application. However, the fact should be considered
that sealants are made to last up to 15 years. So, the need for replacement of
sealants would mean that there must be some specific reasons behind this need.
In most of the instances, it is the child’s dental habits which are to be
blamed. For example, the children may have the habit of grinding the teeth or
chewing hard substances like pencil. Such habits can crack the sealants and
make it necessary to go for a replacement immediately. Chewing hard candy or
ice can also cause sealants to break, crack or lose the grip.
Lastly, the need of replacement of sealant can arise due to
sudden trauma or accident which would impact teeth. Tooth abnormalities can
also lead to the need of replacement of sealants. Another rare reason for the
need to replace sealant is the type of sealant that has been applied to the
teeth before.
