Are Dental Sealants Used to Treat Sensitive Teeth?

In many ways, dental sealants are similar to the tooth-colored material that dentists use to fill cavities. The treatment creates a protective barrier that reinforces teeth enamel. A dentist often uses dental sealant to prevent decay in vulnerable teeth, like the molars. The treatment can also reverse teeth sensitivity.

Basic information about dental sealants

Dental bonding is a popular material that dentists use to fill cavities or hide minor imperfections. This tooth-colored material has a pliable, putty-like consistency, much like a softer version of play-dough. The main ingredient of dental bonding is composite resin, a plastic compound that does a fair job of withstanding the pressures of biting and chewing.

Dentists formulate sealant from the same composite resin that goes into dental bonding. The difference between the two is their texture or consistency. While bonding feels like putty, dental sealant is liquid, a quality that enables it to cover all manner of surfaces and grooves.

The application of dental sealant is a quick, painless procedure that requires no anesthetic at all. First, a dentist cleans, dries, and isolates the teeth before applying a mildly acidic gel to the surfaces. The gel roughens the enamel so the sealant can adhere better to the surfaces of the teeth. After a few minutes, the dentist rinses off the gel and applies the sealant. They then use a curing light to harden the sealant.

Role of dental sealant in treating tooth sensitivity

A cavity can expose the inner tooth, making it vulnerable to every food and drink that passes through the mouth. Sensitive teeth also develop when the enamel erodes, or gums pull away from the tooth roots. This is the type of tooth sensitivity that dental sealants can help with. Teeth that sit under dental sealant enjoy protection from heat, cold, sugar, salt, and corrosive substances that could cause pain. Dentists will use the sealant to protect exposed tooth roots and the enamel above the gumline.

It bears mentioning that this thin layer of dental bonding can wear off after a while. Therefore, sensitive teeth would need a periodic application of sealant, along with a more long-term solution to sensitivity.

Other treatments for sensitive teeth

Tooth sensitivity is more like a symptom than a root cause of a dental problem. It is beneficial to find a permanent fix to the issue. For example:

• Tooth sensitivity that results from receding gums can be reversed with gum contouring
• A cavity that causes tooth sensitivity needs filling and an improvement in oral habits
• Periodic fluoride treatments help mineralize and strengthen thin, worn-out enamel
• A mouthguard can prevent tooth grinding that wears down the enamel

Sometimes, dentists will use one or more of these treatment options to treat sensitive teeth. They may also add dental sealant to the overall treatment plan.

Southampton Dental Care has all your oral health needs covered

Our services cover treatments that prevent or correct oral health issues of every kind. This includes treating tooth sensitivity with dental sealants and addressing the root causes of the problem. Reach out to book an appointment if you are near the Benicia area.

Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Sealants in Benicia, CA.