SEALING THE GAPS

In the movie "The Graduate," Dustin Hoffman was told the future was in plastics. For preventing tooth decay, it is.

Dental sealants, plastic material used to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth, were introduced in 1983 and have been gaining popularity ever since.

Sure, fluoride has long been known to help in preventing cavities, but fluoride primarily protects the smooth surfaces of teeth. The problem lies in the pits and fissures, where plaque tends to build and produce acids that lead to tooth decay. Even with proper brushing and flossing, these grooves are difficult to clean.

That's where sealants come in.

Sealants are a plastic resin which bonds into the depressions and grooves of the chewing surfaces of teeth. Because the resin is not susceptible to the acids created by plaque, it acts as a barrier and protects the teeth against decay.

Cape Girardeau dentist Dr. Dana Cotner is a firm believer in sealant use. Her father, Dr. Dan Cotner, was one of the first dentists in the area to use sealants.

"When they were introduced here Dad tried them on us kids," she said. "I didn't have a cavity until I went away to college."

Today both Dr. Cotners recommend sealants for their patients.

The application of sealants is both painless and cost effective. Most insurance companies view the application of sealants as a preventive measure and cover the cost, which is about half the cost of a filling.

"About 45 percent of caries (cavities) appear on the grinding surfaces of teeth," said Dr. Susan Sheets, a pediatric dentist. "The pits and fissures make these areas susceptible to caries." She has been recommending sealants to her patients since she began her practice 20 years ago.

Sealants are normally placed on the permanent first and second molars. In some instances, sealants are placed on adult bicuspids and baby teeth.

"The dentist will check the teeth to make a diagnosis concerning the use of sealants," Sheets Sheets.

A tooth that has developed a cavity and teeth that have cavities between them are not candidates for sealants. Sealants are usually not recommended for patients who have a large number of cavities.

Sealants can be applied in a matter of minutes. Teeth are cleaned, and then the chewing surfaces are conditioned to help the sealant adhere to the teeth. Once the teeth are dry, the sealant is painted on. A special light helps to harden the resin.

LaWanda Cates of Hayti began bringing her daughter Tijuanda, 13, to Dr. Sheets when Tijuanda was still an infant. Tijuanda has benefited from the sealants placed on her teeth.

"Everything is fine with the sealants," said her mother. "She hasn't had any cavities on those teeth."

The normal life span for sealants is about 10 years. As long as the sealant is holding as it should, the surface of the teeth will be protected.

"Regular six month dental visits, cleaning and checking for damaged sealants should keep patients cavity free," Sheets said.