Dental Sealants Are a Simple and Effective Prevention Strategy

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Dental sealants have been in common use for about three decades, and technology has advanced and improved them over the years. Sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. They are typically applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth — the premolars and molars — where decay occurs most often. Children are especially good candidates for this preventive treatment.

The most likely place for a child to get a cavity is in the small pits and grooves in their back teeth, areas that are extremely difficult to keep clean. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrush bristles often cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" bacteria-causing plaque and food.

A sealant is a plastic resin that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. It protects enamel from cavity-causing plaque and acids. While sealants aren't 100 percent effective in preventing cavities, they can significantly reduce the risk of decay, especially if a patient visits his or her dentist regularly to have worn out or missing sealants replaced.

Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned first, then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes an ultraviolet light is used to help the material cure and harden.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Dental sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. During regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them whenever necessary.

Of course, the basics for tooth decay prevention include twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste; daily flossing; eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks; and visiting your dentist regularly. Ask your dentist whether sealants can augment your family's prevention program.

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com

Endodontic Treatment: Root Canal 101

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

People fear, dread, and postpone getting them. They are fodder for countless jokes. What are they? 

Root canals.

But like a lot of things in life, the anticipation of a root canal is far worse than the actual process of getting one. And consider this: years ago, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you would likely lose that tooth entirely. Now, not only can teeth be saved through endodontics, or root canal therapy, but medical advances have made this treatment relatively simple, with little or no discomfort. Most root canals involve one to three visits to your general dentist or endodontist.

A root canal treats the dental pulp, or the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue in healthy teeth. Dental pulp lies within the tooth and extends from the crown to the tip of the root, in the bone of the jaw. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. If vulnerable dental pulp is left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip in the jawbone in the 'root canal', forming a pocket called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the bone around the teeth; and not only that, an abscess usually hurts.

A molar, showing the 'root canals'

As for the actual procedure of an endodontic root canal treatment, the dentist removes the diseased or dead pulp from a tooth, the 'root canal' itself is cleaned, and then the tooth is sealed off to protect it. Finally, your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger, and the procedure is complete.

Here's the step-by-step process of how a tooth is saved through root canal treatment:

• An opening is made through the crown of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
• The pulp is removed, and the 'root canals' are cleaned, enlarged and shaped.
• Medications may be put in the pulp chamber and 'root canals' to help get rid of germs and prevent infection.
• A temporary filling will be placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits. Your dentist may leave the tooth open for a few days to drain. You might also be given medicine to control any infection that may have spread beyond the tooth.
• The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and 'root canals' are cleaned, filled and sealed.
• A gold or porcelain crown is placed over the tooth as the final step.    

Your restored tooth will likely last a lifetime, with continued preventive care and good oral hygiene.  

Dr. Benjamin Coon, D.D.S.

Glenwood Meadows Dental

40 Market Street, Suite A

Glenwood Springs, CO  81601

970-947-1717

www.gmeadowsdental.com