This or That: Sealants vs Fillings
When it comes to caring for your teeth, you may hear about two common treatments: dental sealants vs fillings. While they serve different purposes, both play crucial roles in protecting teeth and maintaining oral health. Understanding the difference between sealants and fillings can help you make the best decision for your smile. We’ll break down what each treatment does, who it’s for, and how to determine which might be right for you.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have deep grooves that can easily trap food particles and bacteria, making them susceptible to cavities. Sealants work by creating a barrier that prevents decay from forming. They are typically recommended for children and teenagers still developing good oral hygiene habits. Adults who are prone to cavities can also benefit from them.
Benefits of Dental Fillings:
Prevention-focused: Sealants are preventive treatments designed to keep cavities from forming in the first place.
Fast and painless: The process of applying sealants is quick, non-invasive, and painless.
Cost-effective: Sealants prevent cavities before they develop, reducing the need for future dental work and saving you time and money in the long run.
Who Should Consider Sealants?
Children and Teens: We often recommend sealants for children when their permanent molars come in, typically between ages 6 and 14. This helps protect their new adult teeth when they are most cavity-prone.
Adults Prone to Decay: Adults without fillings or cavities on their molars may also consider sealants as a preventive measure.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings, on the other hand, are used to treat teeth that have already been affected by decay. When a cavity forms, a filling is necessary to restore the tooth’s structure and integrity. The dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills the empty space with a material such as composite resin or glass ionomer. Fillings stop the decay from spreading further and help the tooth function properly again.
Benefits of Dental Sealants:
Restorative: Fillings restore the function and shape of teeth damaged by cavities.
Different Material Options: Fillings come in several materials that provide a natural look, including tooth-colored composite resin or glass ionomer, which releases fluoride and is more moisture-tolerant.
Protect Against Further Damage: By removing decay and filling the cavity, fillings help prevent further damage or infection to the tooth.
Who Needs Fillings?
Patients with Cavities: If decay has already damaged a tooth, a filling is the go-to treatment to stop the decay from spreading and to restore the tooth’s strength.
Those with Minor Damage: Fillings can also repair minor cracks or fractures in teeth that don’t require more extensive treatment.
The Key Differences Between Sealants vs Fillings
Dental sealants and fillings are two distinct treatments that serve unique roles in dental care, but both are essential in maintaining a healthy smile.
Purpose: The primary difference between sealants and fillings lies in their purpose. Sealants are preventive, aiming to stop decay before it starts, while fillings are restorative, repairing damage already caused by cavities.
Application Process: Sealants are simply painted onto the surface of the teeth, whereas fillings require drilling and removal of decay.
When to Get Them: Sealants are ideal for protecting healthy teeth, especially for children and teens, while fillings are used once decay has already set in.
The best way to determine whether you need sealants vs fillings is to consult your dentist. At Bass Dentistry, we evaluate each patient’s unique dental needs before making any recommendations. If you have healthy teeth with deep grooves, sealants may be the right choice to prevent cavities. However, if decay is already present, a filling is necessary to stop further damage and restore the tooth’s health.
Stay ahead of Cavities!
Remember, preventive care is always better than reactive care. Sealants can protect teeth from developing cavities, which means fewer fillings in the future. Maintaining regular dental checkups, brushing and flossing daily, and discussing preventive options like sealants with your dentist are essential to keeping your smile healthy.
Whether you need sealants or fillings or simply want to learn more about maintaining your oral health, the team at Bass Dentistry is here to help. Schedule an appointment today for personalized recommendations based on your individual needs, helping you make the best decisions for your smile.
