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Trenton H. Buchanan, D.M.D.
Thomas E. Dudney, D.M.D.
140 Village Street
Suite 203
Birmingham, AL 35242
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Call or E-mail Our Hoover Office Today
To schedule an appointment, just dial (205) 981-7775 or contact us using our convenient e-mail contact.
Sealants
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings which are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and adolescents occurs on the chewing surfaces of these back teeth or molars. This is because most molars have irregular surfaces with pits and grooves which tend to trap food and bacterial debris. Sealants flow into and coat these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.
The teeth most likely to benefit from sealant application are the first and second molars just after they have erupted and before they have had a chance to decay. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 benefit most from sealants.
A sealant application can last for as long as five years and often longer. Sealants should be checked regularly and reapplied when they appear to have worn off. Because teeth are most susceptible to decay when they are young, preventing decay during the first 5 to 14 years after a tooth erupts is critical.