PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Sealants: 10 minutes that prevent years of cavities.
A thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Best for kids, but plenty of adults benefit too. Cheap, fast, non-invasive.
WHY THEY WORK
Cavities most often form in the grooves on top of back teeth, where bristles cannot reach.
A sealant bonds into those grooves and forms a smooth surface that food and plaque slide off of. The ADA recommends sealants for kids on their permanent molars (ages 6 to 14), but they also work for adults whose molars have deep fissures and no decay yet.
DETAILS
What to expect.
The process
About 5 to 10 minutes per tooth. We clean the tooth, etch the surface lightly so the sealant bonds, paint on the sealant, and cure it with a light. No drilling, no numbing, no needles. Children handle it easily.
How long they last
5 to 10 years on average. We check the sealants at every regular cleaning and re-apply if they have chipped or worn down. The replacement is faster than the original placement.
Cost and insurance
Many dental plans cover sealants for kids under 14 at 100%. Even out of pocket, sealants are inexpensive compared to filling a cavity later. We will verify your coverage before the visit so there are no surprises.