Appropriate for all ages, dental sealants safely “seal out” germs from decay-prone back teeth
At West Suburban Oral Health Care, we are privileged to be your oral-systemic specialists in Naperville, Illinois. Our practice is designed on a solid foundation of individualized plans, personalized to each patient’s unique needs. These plans are mainly proactive and maintain, protect, and sustain oral health, promoting systemic health and overall well-being.
One of the best things our patients, regardless of age, can do for their smiles is to get dental sealants. This professional preventive service is only available at the dentist’s office. Our dentists, Drs Susan Mazzei, and Kelsey Esposito look forward to quickly and cost-effectively protecting decay-prone back teeth with these safe and convenient coatings.
The basics about sealants
As their name suggests, sealants are designed to “seal out” all substances that promote tooth decay and gum disease. The sealant material itself is placed on premolars and molars. These back teeth are more vulnerable to damage. They are harder to reach. They also feature pits and grooves. These uneven surfaces collect harmful bacteria, plaque, tartar, and food particles.
Sealants are often associated with pediatric patients; however, they are not merely limited to the treatment of children. We encourage proactive treatment with sealants for children because the first molars generally develop around 6. By placing these coatings as soon as the teeth come in, there is no opportunity for food to become trapped, which creates an environment for plaque to form. Lingering food mixes with harmful bacteria to produce sticky plaque that hardens into stubborn tartar.
Teens and adults alike can benefit from sealants, especially if they have risk factors or have encountered new challenges to their excellent dental health over time. Commonly, patients may develop chronic conditions that put them at increased risk of oral diseases like infections or periodontal disease. Sealants help to build your mouth’s defenses and the ability to prevent the decay that threatens teeth or to stop the progression of early-stage enamel erosion or decay.
What to expect
Sealants are easy to apply. They can be applied fast, during the same check-up where we examine and clean your teeth and gums. These protective coverings are placed as a liquid on clean and dry teeth. A solution is also applied to strengthen the bond between the sealant and the tooth. Lastly, a curing light is used to harden the material. That’s it! The whole process can be completed in minutes. We encourage you to contact us at West Suburban Oral Health today to schedule your appointment. Proudly serving Wheaton, Warrenville, Glen Ellyn, and North Aurora, you can reach our Naperville office at 630-393-3045.
Dr. Susan Mazzei is committed to delivering compassionate and effective care to patients of all ages and backgrounds in Naperville, Illinois. She is a highly skilled dentist who earned her Certification in Prosthodontics after graduating from Northwestern University Dental School.
After finishing her studies, she enrolled in the Northwestern University Dental School faculty as a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Mazzei believes that optimal dental health begins with education and preventative care and educates patients at West Suburban Oral Healthcare on how to take more control of their oral health, which promotes optimal systemic health.
Dr. Mazzei is dedicated to upgrading her education and being up to date on the newest breakthroughs in oral health and dentistry, ensuring that her patients receive the finest care possible.