Choosing Between the Different Types of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants consist of various materials, the most common being medical-grade resin. The material a sealant consists of determines the quality, upsides, and drawbacks. While the dentist explains their recommended dental sealant, this article will give a breakdown of each type to help you prepare questions for your child’s next appointment.

Different uses of dental sealants

Pediatric dentists mainly use sealants to protect against cavities and tooth decay in young patients. Dentists often combine the treatment with topical fluoride to strengthen and reinforce the enamel. Therefore, kids will not need to worry about outgrowing the sealant. Children will go through a stage where they have primary (baby) and secondary (adult) teeth simultaneously. The benefits of sealants include:

• Protecting adult teeth from tooth decay.
• It can be a corrective treatment for tooth sensitivity.
• Protects vulnerable tooth roots left exposed by receding gums.

This brief list demonstrates the multiple uses of sealants as a preventative and corrective treatment. Different patient situations may require different types of dental sealant, however.

Glass ionomer sealant

Glass ionomer dental sealant is a pliable paste with a color that matches the teeth. The sealant has an infusion of fluoride that strengthens the enamel while fighting bacteria. Dentists apply this type of sealant by mixing it with an activating compound. Once the mix comes into contact with teeth, it merges with the enamel to form a solid coat.

Glass ionomer treatments are not as durable as some other dental sealants. However, they are ideal as protective shields for the milk teeth of younger children.

Composite resin sealant

Medical-grade composite resin is a plastic compound that forms an impenetrable barrier between the enamel and the rest of the mouth. The sealant can be transparent or tooth-colored, depending on its mix. Pure composite resin is transparent, while ceramic resin matches the child’s natural teeth.

A dentist will roughen the enamel with a corrosive gel before applying the resin. A rough tooth surface can improve the strength of resin-enamel bonds. The dentist will then use a curing light to harden the resin. There are even more ways to categorize resin sealants.

Fluoride-releasing resin sealant

This dental sealant combines the protective barrier of the typical resin sealant with the corrective properties of fluoride treatment. It releases a slow and steady supply of fluoride to the enamel, which can strengthen the enamel. Fluoride also has antibacterial properties that enable this type of sealant to actively fight harmful mouth bacteria.

Fluoride-releasing sealant is effective at preventing and fighting tooth decay. The treatment can go so far as to reverse small cavities.

Filled versus unfilled sealants

There are three components in resin fillers: the resin, the filler, and the solvent that binds everything together. Filled dental sealant has a more significant proportion of filler, making the material harder, tougher, and more durable. Filled sealant is rough when it solidifies, and dentists must polish this type of sealant like they would a tooth with dental bonding. This type of sealant is ideal for sensitive teeth and tooth roots vulnerable due to gum recession.

Unfilled sealant has more resin than filler, which makes it more of a liquid than a putty. This liquid variation of a dental sealant is ideal for filling the pits and grooves on molars, taking the shape of the spaces it occupies.