Bonded sealants are used to repair shallow fractures in the enamel and dentin of a tooth. Enamel is the hard covering of a tooth, protecting the very porous dentin as well as the root canal where the pulp (tooth nerves and blood supply) resides. When an area of enamel has been broken off or chipped away, this exposes the dentin allowing liquids, air, and bacteria to affect the pulp canal via small tubules. This can be very painful and may result in infection and sometimes the death of a tooth. A shallow fracture does not extend all the way to the pink root canal pulp— if you see a pink spot in the fractured area, this procedure will not be effective.
If a tooth is fractured without pulp exposure, it is best to treat it as soon as possible. When this occurs, dental x-rays are needed to assess the tooth for any signs of root damage or infection. If the tooth appears to be a good candidate for bonded sealant the procedure is then performed.
The treatment process is quick and pain-free. The surrounding enamel of the fracture is smoothed to allow application of a light-cured acrylic bonded sealant. This seals the small holes in the dentin, protecting the deeper tooth structures from pain and infection. The procedure is outpatient and requires no recovery period. Sealant protects your pet’s tooth long term, though it may fail depending on environmental variables like chewing intensity and diet. Treated teeth should be rechecked with dental x-rays at 6-12 months to ensure that treatment was successful.
To learn more about bonded sealants and dental repair, please contact Elevated Pet Dentistry today!