Why Dental Sealants Play an Important Part in Protecting Your Child’s Teeth

Lafayette, CA

Standing behind the child with a stern expression, parents will do just about anything to ensure their children brush and floss on a regular basis. Much to the parents’ efforts, children still seem to attract tooth decay or infection. The risk of tooth decay for children can even begin before they reach the age of 3. While a child becomes more capable of brushing his or her teeth without a parent’s assistance, the child may not properly brush or reach all of the necessary areas of the mouth to remove plaque. If most adults cannot reach the areas they need to, then a child will definitely not be able to reach every area with a toothbrush and allow plaque to build up over time.

Extra Protection with Dental Sealants

The food particles a child misses with a toothbrush will feed the plaque on the teeth, which will help to promote tooth decay. We understand that balancing a family schedule with work, school, chores and extracurricular activities can make it difficult to ensure a child brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day. Due to common dietary habits, the possibility of cavities forming in children becomes much higher and more common than some people may realize. Fortunately, dental sealants can help children grow up with healthy teeth and prevent tooth decay.

The type of issues an endodontist treats

No, but there are a few requirements for dental implants that people of various ages may not meet. While we treat older patients and we believe it is never too late to improve a smile, the patient needs to have sufficient bone density to support a dental implant. Patients who wear dentures for a long time before seeking dental implants may struggle with a jaw bone that cannot properly support the dental implant. In this case, a mini-dental implant may be more appropriate. With a mini-dental implant, the metal post is shorter, requiring less bone structure to secure the implant.

Do I qualify if I have crooked teeth?

Most parents, upon hearing about a dental sealant procedure for their children, think, “There’s no way my child will remain calm or even want to set foot in the dentist.” With the care that we provide, parents do not have to worry. Not only is the sealant procedure painless for the child, but we also have the experience to help keep a child comfortable during this procedure.

Dental sealant is like little defenders on a child’s teeth and is a liquid solution that quickly hardens as we place it on the top of the teeth. The dental sealant hardens within seconds of placement and is long-lasting. Dental sealants can last up to 10 years and protect the tooth enamel from decay. A dental sealant will also prevent any decay on that tooth from spreading further.

We understand that regardless of the procedure, children may be uncomfortable visiting a dentist. As a pediatric dentist, our team can help children feel more comfortable at the office and creates a welcoming atmosphere from the waiting room to the dental chair. We will complete the dental sealant procedure in a safe and efficient manner.

Are implants the right solution for missing teeth?

Absolutely. Dental implants were designed to replace missing teeth. Whether you have lost one or several teeth due to age, infection, decay, or damage, we can replace them with durable dental implants. Dental implants are the only solution that replaces both your missing root and tooth. We will secure a titanium post to your jawbone and, through the process of osseointegration, the jaw will provide the same level of stability to your replacement tooth that it did to your natural one. Patients appreciate how durable this solution is and how it allows them to maintain an active lifestyle while eating all their favorite foods. If you are simultaneously evaluating dentures or a dental bridge, consider how dental implants can positively impact your lifestyle and then call 510-257-2284 to schedule an appointment with Lafayette Dental Implant Center.

Can I get implants if I have gum disease?

For your health, no. It is much better to wait until you go through the necessary treatment to eliminate the gum disease. Healthy gums are critical for this procedure since we need to cut into the gums to place the metal implant. Any existing infection can decrease the success rate of the procedure and extend your recovery process. When you visit our Lafayette dental office, we will let you know if we discover any signs of gum disease and present you with a treatment plan to address it.

Am I a candidate for dental implants if I have cavities?

Not yet, but you can be. In our dental office, we can treat your cavities by removing tooth decay and restoring your teeth. We can complete this procedure fairly quickly and decide if the teeth are healthy enough or if dental implants are necessary. At Lafayette Dental Implant Center, we also want to ensure your mouth is healthy prior to starting a procedure of this magnitude.

Am I a candidate for dental implants if my teeth fell out a long time ago?

At Lafayette Dental Implant Center, we treat patients in all stages of life and often work with seniors who receive dentures after tooth loss and now feel dissatisfaction with the results. While dentures are effective, they have a level of inconvenience. Patients need to take the dentures out to clean and soak them on a regular basis. In other situations, patients can struggle with the dentures slipping out on accident. Unfortunately, after losing an adult tooth, the body goes through the process of resorption. Through resorption, the body leaches calcium from the jawbone for use elsewhere. A patient who has lost teeth may not have a jawbone that is dense enough for the procedure. In this case, we may need to perform a bone graft or refer you to specialist for one. The other solution to consider would be mini-dental implants, where the actual post is shorter, requiring less bone density to remain in place.

Dental implants are by far the best solution for tooth loss. A dental implant can look so natural that other people may not be able to tell which tooth is the replacement. It is also durable enough to allow you to engage in high impact activities, like running a marathon or singing in the choir without worrying about your tooth becoming loose. With dental implants, you will also be able to eat all of your favorite foods. Patients are able to smile with confidence after getting dental implants..

Check out what others are saying about the extra protection of dental sealants on Yelp: Why Dental Sealants Play an Important Part in Protecting Your Child’s Teeth Lafayette

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. Can dental sealants protect my child’s teeth?

Q. Is brushing the teeth enough to keep my child’s teeth healthy?

Q. What are dental sealants?

Definition of Dental Implant Terminology

Alveolar Bone

The alveolar bone is the bone surrounding the root of the tooth that keeps the tooth in place.

Denture Base

The denture base is the part of the denture that connects the artificial teeth with the soft tissue of the gums.

Fixed Full Arch Restoration

A fixed full arch restoration is a common treatment option for edentulous patients who are missing either all or at least an entire arch of their teeth.

Full Arch Rehabilitation

Full arch rehabilitation involves using the All-on-4 ™ to help patients maintain and use a new set of teeth that look natural.

Graftless Procedure

A graftless procedure is a dental implant procedure that does not require the use of a bone graft prior to placing the dental implants.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the gingival tissues and membrane of the teeth, leading to tooth loss without professional treatment.

Resin/Acrylic

Resin and Acrylic are resinous materials that can be components in a denture base.

Clasp

A clasp is a device that holds a removable partial denture prosthesis to the teeth.

Edentulous

Edentulous is a term that applies to people who do not have any teeth.

Fixed Provisional Bridge

A fixed provisional bridge is a dental bridge that a dentist cements in place for a temporary amount of time to see if it works properly before making the bridge permanent.

Full Arch Treatment

Full arch treatment is the treatment process of replacing an entire arch of missing teeth and ensuring that everything fits properly.

Nobel Biocare

Nobel Biocare is a company that manufactures dental implants and continues to innovate the market with new products and designs.

Stomatitis

A resin bonded bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix to the surrounding t teeth with a type of resin to provide patients with a long-lasting solution.

Pontic

Pontic is another term for an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture.

Helpful Related Links

American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015

About our business, license, and website security

Lafayette Dental Implant Center was established in 2004.
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We serve patients from the following counties: Alameda County, San Francisco County, Contra Costa County, San Mateo County and Marin County
We serve patients from the following cities: Lafayette, San Francisco, San Mateo, Berkeley, Richmond, San Rafael, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward and Walnut Creek
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