Achieve a Happy and Healthy Smile with
Dental Sealants In Jupiter, FL
Our State Of The Art Office Is Only A Few Miles From Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, And All Of Palm Beach County.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a plastic coating placed on the surface of a tooth to prevent decay from developing. These sealants are generally placed on the molars and premolars, and most commonly after a person has a fissure on their first molar. Dental sealants are designed to protect this area from bacteria and acids that, if left untreated, can cause decay.
A fluoride intervention can be helpful in preventing this type of decay from occurring, but if your dentist has suggested dental sealants, this means that the chewing surface of your back teeth have developed grooves that will make cleaning difficult and much more vulnerable to decay.
At Ritter and Ramsey, we are committed to working diligently to improve your oral health and helping you achieve a smile that is true to you and gives you the confidence you deserve. If you or your child are scheduled to have a dental sealant, or if you have any questions about this procedure, please read the following or contact us at (561) 626-6667.
The Dental Sealant Process
This procedure can generally be taken care of in one visit. Your dentist will begin the process by first cleaning your tooth with a rotating brush or paste. It is critical that the tooth be completely clean and free of any food debris for the procedure to be as successful as possible.
Next, the tooth will be rinsed, dried, and then treated with an acidic solution, which will allow for the sealant to adhere. Once the tooth has been dried again, the liquid sealant will be placed across your tooth and then hardened by an activating light. This part of the process generally only takes 30 seconds. Once the sealant has hardened, your tooth will resume its natural feel and look and you can begin to chew again without experiencing pain.
Award Winning
Dentistry at Ritter + Ramsey
Our Doctors are known nationally for their knowledge of practice materials and techniques. Ritter and Ramsey have provided industry insights and research to some of the top dental manufactures worldwide. Together, they lecture both nationally and internationally in excess of 50 times per year.
The Dental Sealant Process
This procedure can generally be taken care of in one visit. Your dentist will begin the process by first cleaning your tooth with a rotating brush or paste. It is critical that the tooth be completely clean and free of any food debris for the procedure to be as successful as possible.
Next, the tooth will be rinsed, dried, and then treated with an acidic solution, which will allow for the sealant to adhere. Once the tooth has been dried again, the liquid sealant will be placed across your tooth and then hardened by an activating light. This part of the process generally only takes 30 seconds. Once the sealant has hardened, your tooth will resume its natural feel and look and you can begin to chew again without experiencing pain.
Why Get Dental Sealants?
If your dentist has recommended that you need dental sealants, they have determined that you have grooves and fissures on your molars and back teeth that are significantly deep enough to pose serious potential future decay. The American Dental Association states that having a dental sealant placed reduces the odds of developing a surface cavity by as much as 90%. Additionally, there are no known negative outcomes to having a sealant applied.
While the success rate of these sealants is extremely positive, it is also important to be aware that these sealants are not designed to correct a preexisting issue. It is also important to be aware that while the success rate of this procedure is high, it is still possible, though unlikely, that an unchecked cavity can be covered by a dental sealant. Fortunately, if this should occur, this will prevent the cavity from developing any further.
It also important to be aware that a dental sealant is not a permanent solution. Most sealants last around ten years, so it is important that you maintain regular dental checkups so you can monitor how well the sealants are holding up.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Sealants?
Having dental sealants placed comes with a wide variety of benefits. One of the most substantial benefits is that these sealants will significantly reduce the chances of future cavities developing. They are also specially designed to prevent plaque and bacteria from developing, which will help preserve the natural groove and feel of your teeth. Dental sealants are also considerably cheaper than having to fill a cavity. Best of all, the entire process is incredibly quick and essentially painless.
Associated Costs
At Ritter and Ramsey we are committed to providing you and your entire family with quality dental care that you can afford. The final cost of your procedure will be determined by your specific insurance plan. Our office is happy to assist you in helping you understand and best maximize the benefits detailed in your specific contract, though we do require that you bring a copy of your benefit booklet so we can help you decide what approach is best for you. It is important to note: note all procedures are covered by benefits in all contracts. We accept Cash, Check, or Credit card, as well as 3rd party financing options.
Proper Care For Dental Sealants
You will not have to change your diet or eating habits to maintain the overall health and longevity of your dental sealants, though it is a good idea to avoid chewing on any foods that are especially hard or sticky immediately following the procedure.
It is also important to remember why you had to have this procedure performed in the first place. Although there are times when oral health issues in adults are unavoidable, there are several things you can do to help promote good oral health habits to maintain the longevity of success for this procedure. To best take care of your teeth, be sure to follow these important oral health practices.
- Practice consistent and proper brushing and flossing habits: Make sure that you are brushing at least twice daily and for two minutes at a time when you do brush. It is also important to floss daily. If you have an aversion to flossing, consider using toothpicks or specialty brushes.
- Limit sugar and starch: Avoid foods that are high in starch as much as possible, as these foods are essentially fuel for bacteria. If you do drink sugary liquids, try to use a straw, as doing so will limit the amount of exposure of sugar to your teeth before swallowing. It is also important to drink water after every meal. Swishing water after you have finished eating can help clean remaining deposits of food.
- Address issues before they become bigger problems: Many people understandably have some phobias or concerns about visiting a dentist, especially when they suspect something may be wrong, but the longer you avoid addressing an issue, the more severe that issue will become, and the greater the likelihood will be that other problems develop as a result.
- Schedule regular visits: Visit your dentist every six months. These visits allow your dentist to provide you with deep cleanings and monitor your overall dental health, catching problems before they become real issues.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DENTISTRY SINCE 1994
Traditionally, hours of hand labor in a dental laboratory are invested in these precise products. With the adoption of more technology into dentistry, digital imaging continues to grow in importance. Most restorations begin with a mold of your mouth that involves messy impression materials. With the Itero Digital Scanner, you can say goodbye to the mess. Itero eliminates this step, replacing it with simple digital images captured with a handheld wand. The images quickly appear on a computer monitor as 3-D models of your teeth.
Expert Tooth Restoration Using Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain dental crowns are used to restore dental implants, to secure dental bridges, restore and help repair broken or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be performed in one visit. The goal with dental crowns is to create a natural looking smile. These types of crowns can add the strength and durability to any tooth with any needed repair. Aesthetically, dental crowns are used to cover a discolored tooth and even narrow the gaps between largely separated teeth.
The Finest Porcelain Veneers for a New Smile
At Ritter & Ramsey, watching patients discover a brilliant new smile is the highlight of our days. Porcelain veneers can transform a smile dramatically. A beautiful new set of porcelain veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth, or help teeth that seem rotated appear straight. While it sounds dramatic, only the stunning visual outcome is surprising. Porcelain veneers provide a highly conservative approach to aesthetic smile makeovers.
Meet Our Internationally Recognized Cosmetic Dentists
Our doctors have more than 40 years of combined experience diagnosing and treating dental health issues. Patients trust our team to perform top quality work and send you home from your appointments with a gleaming smile. Get to know our doctors below and be sure to meet our wonderful, hard-working staff as well.
Dr. Robert Ritter
Dr. Robert Ritter grew up in Palm Beach prior to attending Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Practicing since 1994 and logging more than 200 hours of continuing education per year, Dr. Ritter is an extremely proficient doctor of restorative dentistry.
Dr. Christopher Ramsey
Dr. Christopher Ramsey was raised in Jupiter and achieved his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia. Dr. Ramsey is on the editorial review board for two dentistry journals and stays on the cutting edge of cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Dr. Isabelle Ritter
Dr. Isabelle Ritter graduated from Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in 1994. Dr. Ritter provides tailored, mercury-free dental care for your young children and teens. She enjoys providing young people with healthy habits and gleaming smiles.