Dental sealants are an important tool for achieving one of the most important goals of dentistry — preventing tooth decay. When molars and premolars first break through the gums of children, those teeth have grooves, also called fissures, on the surface. Those grooves can be too deep and too narrow for a regular toothbrush to reach, so dentists will recommend dental sealants to prevent plaque from building up in those areas.
General & Preventative Dentistry
A sealant is a solution that, when applied to the surface of a tooth, hardens into an invisible layer that prevents food particles and bacteria from becoming embedded in the tooth. Usually used on children’s chewing teeth, sealants provide extra protection for grooved or pitted portions of molars — the teeth used for grinding and chewing — where fluoride alone needs extra support. The idea has been around since the 1920s, but the materials that made it the readily-available option it is today came along around 1970.
The procedure is incredibly simple for the amount of protection it offers. First, the teeth getting the sealant are thoroughly cleaned and dried. The chewing surfaces of those teeth are then roughened a bit using an acid solution, which helps form a strong bond between the sealant and the teeth. The teeth are rinsed and thoroughly dried again. The sealant is applied to the tooth — literally painted on with a brush. Depending on the sealant material being used, your dentist may use a special curing light to help the hardening process. That’s all there is to it.
Sealants seal off the deep grooves on chewing teeth where bacteria and food particles get trapped, dramatically reducing the risk of cavities in those areas.
The entire application takes just a few minutes per tooth with no drilling, no anesthesia, and no discomfort — making it an easy appointment for children and adults alike.
According to the CDC, sealants have been shown to provide protection for up to nine years, making them one of the most cost-effective preventive treatments available.
Sealants are most commonly applied to children’s molars and premolars as soon as those teeth come in, typically between ages 6 and 12. Adults don’t often need sealant treatment since, by adulthood, most people have had fillings or other work done to the teeth involved. However, if you’re one of those rare grown-ups with cavity-free chewing teeth, Dr. Daniel may well suggest sealants to protect that great track record — just check with your dental insurance provider first, as coverage tends to be limited to patients under 18.
Why Choose Us
At Aria Dental of Annapolis, Dr. Nicholas Daniel and Dr. Lisa Daniel have built a practice around one simple belief: every patient deserves to feel like a person, not an appointment. From routine cleanings to full-mouth restorations, you get honest, thorough care from a team that knows your name.
Absolutely. Fluoride toothpastes and dentist-office fluoride treatments are crucial to protecting the surfaces of your teeth. But sealants provide extra protection for grooved or pitted portions of molars — the teeth used for grinding and chewing. Fluoride alone can use the support of sealants in those hard-to-reach areas.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sealants have been shown to provide protection for up to nine years. There is, however, a chance of them falling off. If your child gets sealants, be sure to have Dr. Daniel check them during regular dental check-ups so they can be reapplied if needed.
Yes. Dental sealants have been used safely for decades. The materials are FDA-approved and the amount of any substance used is extremely small. The procedure is entirely non-invasive and does not require drilling or anesthesia.
The first set of permanent molars comes in around age 6, and the second set around age 12. Sealants are ideally applied as soon as these teeth erupt and before any decay has a chance to develop. Dr. Daniel will let you know when the timing is right during your child's routine visits.
Sealants are very thin and smooth, so most children do not notice them at all after the first day or two. The bite may feel very slightly different right after application, but this settles quickly and the sealant blends naturally with the tooth.
Many dental insurance plans cover sealants for children up to a certain age, often 14 or 16. Coverage for adults is less common. We recommend checking with your provider. Our membership plan also includes discounts on preventive services for patients without insurance.
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