9310 Carmel Mountain Rd., Ste. A
San Diego, CA 92129
If you’re worried that you may be at a high risk of cavities, our doctors can help with dental sealants in Rancho Peñasquitos, 4S Ranch, Del Sur, and the surrounding areas. Contact us now for an appointment.
Convenient treatment
Non-invasive care
Can be done with an oral exam/cleaning
When properly applied, dental sealants completely eliminate the risk of developing cavities.
It only takes a few minutes to apply dental sealants, and the treatment is completely non-invasive.
With dental sealants and proper oral hygiene, you’ll know that you have the best possible protection against developing cavities.
Stephanie V.
"The team at Carmel Mountain Dental Care saw me same-day when I chipped my front tooth. They relieved my pain and fixed my smile in no time! I would recommend them to anyone who finds themselves in a dental emergency!"
Stephanie V.
"I have been a patient at CMDC for 3 years now. This place is truly a gem and I will not go anywhere else! I have seen multiple hygienists and two different dentists, they have all treated me with the best care, respect and great service. I have a lot of sensitivity, they keep that in mind and are gentle. They truly go above and beyond for their patients and I no longer dread the dentist! Thank you!"
Dental sealants are a preventive dentistry procedure, and they are often recommended for patients who have a history of having multiple cavities. They consist of a thin layer of plastic dental resin, which is applied to the teeth in a liquid form.
Once the resin is applied, the liquid is hardened using a UV light, then it forms a strong, clear, protective barrier. This barrier stops oral bacteria, food particles, and acid from touching your enamel, preventing cavity formation completely.
Sealants are usually used to treat the rear teeth, since they have larger pits, crevices, and cracks where cavities can develop, but they may occasionally be used on the front teeth, as well.
This treatment is often used for kids. This is because, in most cases, sealants are completely covered by dental insurance for kids under the age of 18. However, this is not always the case for adults. We recommend contacting your insurer for more information, and to see if your policy covers sealants for adults.
The lifespan of dental sealants varies for each patient at Carmel Mountain Dental Care, but they usually last at least 3 years, and can last up to 10 years with proper application. This means that sealants can help protect you from cavities for a very long period of time.
There are a few things that can shorten the lifespan of your sealants. If you chew and eat a lot of hard foods like ice, almonds, and popcorn kernels, this can wear down your sealants prematurely.
In addition, teeth grinding and clenching can cause sealants to wear out prematurely. Our Rancho Peñasquitos team highly recommends a custom-fitted night guard to treat grinding and clenching. This will keep your sealants intact and also protect your teeth from the wear & tear caused by teeth grinding.
Sealants can be touched-up and replaced whenever they wear out, but you will not be able to tell if your sealants have worn out on your own. This is yet another reason that regular six-month cleanings and oral exams from Carmel Mountain Dental Care in Rancho Peñasquitos are so important.
At your appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth and check on your sealants to see how they’re holding up. And, if your sealants are damaged or worn out, your dentist can schedule a follow-up to have them touched up, ensuring your teeth stay protected from tooth decay.
Dental sealants are frequently recommended for kids, since they're a good way to prevent tooth decay and the need for future dental fillings. They are usually applied at the age of 6, when the first set of adult molars typically come out, and then applied again at about the age of 12-13, when the second set of adult molars has emerged. Sealants help protect these rear teeth from cavities. Kids have a high risk of cavities, especially in these large rear teeth, which have more surface area and are harder to clean compared to the front teeth.
However, that doesn’t mean that dental sealants are only meant for kids. At Carmel Mountain Dental Care, we offer dental sealants to any adult who may be cavity-prone, or worried about developing cavities in the future. For example, if you have thin enamel due to genetics, you may be a good candidate for dental sealants.
The best way to find out if dental sealants are appropriate for you is to schedule a consultation at Carmel Mountain Dental Care. Our doctors can examine your mouth, assess your risk of cavities, and determine if dental sealants are a worthwhile investment. We also work with kids of all ages, so we can help prevent cavities in your child’s teeth, too! Contact us now to schedule your consultation in San Diego.
After you’ve gotten dental sealants, you can get right back to your normal day-to-day routine. You don’t have to wait to eat, or take any other special precautions after your appointment.
The same is true for at-home dental care and oral hygiene. You’ll need to continue to brush your teeth normally, even after getting dental sealants. While sealants can help prevent cavities, they're not a replacement for good oral care.
So make sure that you’re brushing at least twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. You also should floss once a day, and come back to Carmel Mountain Dental Care every six months for a checkup. Good oral hygiene, regular teeth cleanings and oral exams will ensure that your teeth and your sealants stay in great shape.
You can eat whatever you want after you get dental sealants from our Rancho Peñasquitos office. But certain foods may damage your sealants over time, so you should avoid them if you want to maximize their lifespan. Primarily, these include:
Hard foods – You should avoid eating and chewing really hard foods like ice, jawbreakers and hard candies. They are extremely hard and tough. Not only can these types of foods damage your sealants, but they could actually chip your natural enamel, too, so you should avoid them.
Sticky and chewy foods – The other category of food to avoid is really sticky, chewy, sugary foods. These include things like caramel, toffee, gummy candies, taffy, and other such treats. Over time, eating really sticky foods can loosen your sealants and pull them off of your teeth, reducing their useful lifespan. These foods are also loaded with sugar, which can raise your risk of cavities.
First visit to Carmel Mountain Dental Care? Schedule your New Patient Appointment today to meet the team and get the quality care you deserve at Carmel Mountain Dental Care in Rancho Peñasquitos. Our New Patient Special includes a comprehensive exam, cleaning, x-rays, and a personalized treatment plan.
