How Are Dental Sealants Different From Fillings

February 01, 2024, URBN Dental

Dental operations must be combined with a few at-home routines to ensure optimal oral health. Dental sealants and fillings are the most often utilized materials in dental operations. Because these dentistry terminology are used in operations that take less than 30 minutes, they can be misleading. They both also appear to coat and shield the teeth. Dental filling and sealants are different, though. There are several differences between sealants and fillings, including their permanence, composition, and intended use.

Dental Filling

Dental fillings are something that most people have heard of or are at least vaguely familiar with. A dental filling is utilized to repair a tooth that has been injured by tooth decay. These days, most dentists employ composite fillings due to their natural coloring, direct bonding with tooth enamel, and reduced adverse response rates. Your child's dentist will fill the remaining cavity with softened composite resin and cure it one layer at a time with a special curing light once the rotten tissue has been removed.

Dental sealants

When sealing the tooth, a somewhat different method is used. Dental sealants are similarly made of composite resin but are administered differently. This "seals" the tooth, preventing the enamel from being harmed by microorganisms that cause decay. Your child's teeth will need to be cleaned to get rid of bacteria from the feeling of their teeth before dental sealants are applied. This is to prevent these objects from becoming lodged beneath the sealant. 

Here's a quick overview of the differences between dental fillings and sealants. 
Objectives

The dentist will advise dental fillings and sealants to accomplish a specific goal. Dental sealants are prophylactic treatments intended to shield your molars from dental deterioration. Dental fillings, on the other hand, are restorative procedures meant to repair the harm caused by tooth decay. The decay is thoroughly cleaned before the dental filling is inserted to protect against possibly dangerous microorganisms and additional harm.

Materials

Various materials are frequently used to make dental fillings. Dental professionals and patients often have to choose between composite resin, porcelain, silver amalgam, or gold fillings. Depending on the patient's preferences and the location of the filled tooth, tooth colored fillings material like porcelain or composite resin is frequently chosen. In contrast, dental sealants are placed on your teeth in a liquid state and are composed of plastic. However, they soon solidify when exposed to a specific type of UV radiation.

Durability

The patient's oral hygiene habits impact how long dental sealants and fillings last. Both dental operations can last for the anticipated time if good oral hygiene practices are maintained. The sealant will deteriorate with time and require replacement. On the other hand, fillings are more long-lasting and can endure for many years, provided that the tooth's remaining structure is shielded from dental disease.

Concluding the matter

Usually, your tooth's condition is considered while deciding between a filling and a dental sealant. Take a dentist appointment near me; they can assist in assessing the degree of damage to your teeth and help you select the most appropriate course of action. Even though experiencing dental decay can be frightening, knowing that you have these remedies can calm your fears.

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