Dental sealants
An extra layer of protection where it counts
The chewing surfaces of your back teeth have deep grooves no toothbrush can fully reach. A sealant fills those grooves and dramatically reduces cavity risk.
How sealants work
Look closely at any molar and you'll see deep grooves on the chewing surface. Those grooves trap food particles and plaque — and toothbrush bristles can't always reach into them. A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating painted onto that chewing surface, where it flows into the grooves and hardens with a curing light. The result is a smoother, easier-to-clean surface.
Who benefits most
- Kids and teens — sealants on permanent molars (ages 6 and 12) cut cavity risk on those teeth by around 80% in the first two years.
- Adults with deep grooves and a history of decay can sometimes benefit too, especially on teeth that have not yet been filled.
- Patients with reduced saliva (some medications, some medical conditions) face higher cavity risk and may benefit from sealants as a preventive measure.
The appointment
Sealant placement is quick, simple, and painless — no drilling, no numbing. We clean and dry the tooth, paint on the sealant material, and harden it with a light. Each tooth takes only a few minutes, and you can chew normally as soon as you walk out the door.
Sealants are prevention, not a cure
Sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth — they don't protect the gum line, the spaces between teeth, or the smooth sides of teeth. Daily brushing and flossing still matter. Think of sealants as one layer of defense in a stack — they're not the whole wall.
Common questions
Frequently asked
- What exactly is a dental sealant?
- A sealant is a thin, plastic-like coating painted onto the chewing surface of a back tooth (a molar or premolar). It flows into the deep grooves and fissures and hardens with a special light. The result is a smoother surface that's much easier to keep clean.
- Who should get sealants?
- Sealants are most often placed on kids' permanent molars when they erupt — typically around ages 6 and 12. Some adults with deep grooves and a history of cavities benefit too. Your hygienist will let you know if sealants would help your specific teeth.
- How long do sealants last?
- Properly placed sealants typically last 5 to 10 years. We check them at every cleaning visit and reapply or repair them if they wear or chip.
- Is the procedure painful?
- Not at all. No drilling, no numbing — we just clean the tooth, apply the sealant material, and harden it with a light. The whole thing takes a few minutes per tooth.
- Will my insurance cover sealants?
- Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children, and some cover them for adults at higher decay risk. We'll check your benefits before treatment.
- Do sealants replace brushing?
- No — sealants protect the deep grooves of back teeth, but the smooth surfaces, the gum line, and between the teeth still need daily brushing and flossing.
- Can sealants be placed over existing fillings?
- Not over the filling itself, but adjacent grooves on the same tooth can sometimes be sealed if they're at risk.
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