Children in particular benefit from fluoride treatment. As adult teeth come in, fluoride treatments help combat tooth decay through a process called remineralization. Acids from plaque and from the food we eat can wear down tooth enamel by sapping teeth of certain essential minerals. Fluoride treatment stops and reverses this process making tooth enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.
The biting surfaces of molars have plenty of grooves and fissures that can easily trap acidic plaque or food particles which may be difficult to clean. When children get new molars, dental sealant can be used to keep gunk out, protect their natural teeth and prevent decay. Dental sealants provide a protective shield for those vulnerable areas.
The enamel is just the outter-most layer of a tooth. Underneath the enamel, a tooth is made up of dentin, pulp and nerve. Dentin helps support the structure of your tooth but it can’t protect the nerve of the tooth from hot and cold or acid and sticky foods. If the enamel becomes thin and worn, teeth will become sensitive. Fluoride and sealants keep the enamel in tip-top condition so that it can continue to protect your sensitive dentin from the elements.
Worn enamel can continue to decay until a cavity forms. In addition to causing tooth sensitivity, exposed dentin comes with the added risk of infection which can be extremely painful and may require a root canal to save the tooth. Rebuilding enamel with fluoride treatment and shielding problem areas from plaque build-up helps to prevent decay and even strengthens teeth.
An ounce of prevention now is worth a pound of cure tomorrow. Fluoride and sealants are a relatively inexpensive treatment and will prevent the need for more costly procedures that would be required if tooth decay is allowed to progress.
The fluoride treatment we use is stronger than store-bought because it is administered by medical professionals in our office. Our most common fluoride treatment comes in the form of foam or gel in an upper and lower tray. Fluoride only takes a few minutes to apply at the end of your teeth cleaning. We will ask that the patient avoids eating or drinking for 30 minutes after treatment for maximum benefits.
Dental sealants are very easy to apply and completely painless. There is no drilling required and you won’t need freezing. The dentist will carefully clean and dry the tooth. A mild acidic gel will be applied to the tooth to make the surface a little rough for the strongest bond. The dentist will rinse the gel off after a few seconds, dry the tooth again and then press and apply sealant into the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to cure the sealant. Your bite should still feel natural and comfortable when it’s done.
Special offers for Gift Cards and Teeth Whitening require new patients to complete at least $300 in billable treatment. Offers cannot be combined, are limited to one per patient, and must be used within one year of your first appointment.
If you’re a new patient without insurance, you may qualify for free exams and X-rays.
Please note, additional appointments may be necessary for optimal dental care. We have a cancellation policy in place requiring 48-hours notice for regular appointments and 4 business-days for specialist ones. Non-compliance incurs a $50 fee for standard appointments and $150 for specialty appointments.