Dental Sealants
Sealants shield the grooves of the back teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach. They cut the risk of molar decay by almost 80%, and cost a fraction of filling a cavity.
- Chair time
- A few minutes per tooth
- Numbing
- None needed
- Lasts
- Up to 9 years
- Protection
- Cuts molar decay risk by almost 80%
- Cost
- A third to a half of filling a cavity
Every service is quoted up front, before we start. All PPO insurances accepted.
The service
Protect the teeth you cannot reach.
Molars and premolars grow with natural pits and fissures: perfect traps for food and bacteria, and nearly impossible to brush clean. A sealant is a thin protective coating bonded to those chewing surfaces, a physical barrier between the groove and everything that would decay it.
The numbers are hard to argue with. Studies show sealants cut the chance of molar decay by almost 80%, and the CDC reports that schoolchildren without sealants have three times as many cavities as children with them. They work best applied as soon as the back teeth come in, but they help at any age.
What happens
How placement works.
Polish
The tooth's outer surface is cleaned and polished.
Rinse and dry
The tooth is rinsed thoroughly and dried.
Etch
A mild acidic solution sits on the chewing surface briefly, leaving a rough texture the sealant can grip.
Paint and cure
The liquid sealant is painted into the grooves and hardened with a light into a tough layer that stands up to chewing.
Is it for you
Worth asking about if.
You do not need to match every line. Any one of them is reason enough to ask.
- Children whose permanent molars have just come in
- Teens in the cavity-prone years
- Deep grooves that trap food no matter how well you brush
- Adults who keep getting cavities in their back teeth
- Early decay a dentist wants to arrest rather than drill
Afterwards
Afterwards.
No recovery, no restrictions: eat normally the same day. The only upkeep is ordinary brushing, flossing and regular checkups, where we confirm each sealant is intact and reapply if one has worn.
Common questions
Answering your questions.
Are sealants only for kids?
No. Children and teens benefit most because that is when cavities are most common, but adults can get sealants too.
Can a tooth with early decay be sealed?
Yes. Early decay can be sealed, usually with a transparent sealant so the dentist can keep watching the tooth.
How long do sealants last?
Up to 9 years. We check them at your regular visits and reapply when needed.
More in Preventive Dentistry
Your first visit
One ticket covers it.
360 Dental · Admit one