Monday May 4, 2009— SARASOTA, FLORIDA — The advent of dental sealant has helped prevent tooth decay in children for many years.

However, dental sealant does not last forever and if it isn’t monitored and redone periodically, this product designed to help protect against tooth decay can create a haven for it, said Dr. Charles Crane, who owns a Sarasota dentistry practice.

Since many young adults who had sealant applied to their teeth as children will head off to college in a few months, it is time for a “college prep” course before they go, said Crane, who practices general and cosmetic dentistry and also specializes in dental implants in Sarasota. These sealants wear away over time. Because of that, parents should make sure their college-age children visit a dentist before going off to school, where they could be too far away to visit their family dentist, should a problem arise while they are away.

To get young adults prepped for college, Crane offers a package that includes a complete dental exam, cleaning, whitening and a Sonicare toothbrush to take with them to college.

“We want to give them a good send-off, and to remind them to schedule appointments for dental cleanings when they are home between semesters or during the summer,” Crane said.

Dental Sealant Defined
Dental sealant has been in use since the 1960s. It is a plastic coating that acts as a barrier to protect teeth from decay-causing bacteria, according to the American Dental Association Web site. Sealant typically is painted onto the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars.

Molars in children have deep grooves in the anatomy of the tooth that are too tiny for toothbrush bristles to fit into and clean properly, Crane said. Combine that with many children’s propensity for consuming sugary foods and soft drinks, and that creates a recipe for tooth decay.

“Dentists will put dental sealant on those teeth in young patients to prevent bacteria from getting in those grooves and growing,” Crane said. “However, the sealant must be checked periodically.”

Sealant typically lasts two to three years and can last as long as 10 years, but must be routinely checked so that if it has become worn or chipped, new sealant can be applied.

If left unchecked and sealant wears away over time, the likelihood of tooth decay increases, Crane said. All of the sealant won’t wear away on its own. It tends to wear away in spots, creating openings in which bacteria can enter. When that occurs, this is the point where the sealant begins to work against the patient. Although those tiny grooves in the molars and premolars wear down as we age, areas of worn sealant can allow bacteria to enter while still preventing toothbrush bristles from cleaning the area, he said.

“People with old sealants should have them polished out,” Crane said. “Getting annual bite-wing, cavity-detecting X-rays can tell the dentist how the sealant is holding up.”

Why is Crane labeling sealant checks as prepping for college?

“We need to be realistic about what happens at college,” Crane said.

There may be some kids who stay out late, drink beer and other carbohydrate-rich drinks and don’t brush and floss when they get home. Germs that are present in the mouth use the sugar in foods and drinks to make acids that can cause cavities over time.

“We are starting to see more patients who are in their early 20s who had sealant applied when they were younger and that sealant has worn out,” he said. “Decay is forming under the sealant and now their teeth are getting bombed out by cavities.”

Once students go off to college and aren’t under a parent’s watchful eye any longer, routine dental visits can fall by the wayside.

“We just want to remind young adults that if they have dental work of any kind in their mouths, they need to see a dentist for X-rays, cleanings, exams and check-ups on a regular basis,” Crane said.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Charles Crane’s college prep package or you would like to schedule a consultation with him, please visit his Web site: www.drcharlescrane.com or call his office: (941) 923-3802.

About Dr. Charles Crane
Charles E. Crane, D.D.S. graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1981. He went on to complete a residency at UAB Medical School in Birmingham, Ala. in IV Sedation. In 2003, Dr. Crane acquired the practice of Steven J. Krouse, D.D.S. and focused on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry.

Dr. Crane has completed numerous post-graduate courses in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. He has studied intensely at the acclaimed Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies including courses in: Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction, Advanced Functional Aesthetics and Mastering Neuromuscular Occlusion.

Dr. Crane is one of only a few Sarasota dentists to offer IV Sedation to his patients. He attends the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Scientific Session and the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry education symposiums.

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