Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, dental sealants involve a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic “coating” is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively seals the deep grooves, acting as a barrier and protecting enamel from plaque and acids.

Sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can’t reach.

Dental sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of cavities in the teeth that are covered.  The American Dental Association holds decades of research data which demonstrates the benefits for children. Based on their studies, coating the biting surface of 6-year molars with a resin-based sealant can reduce cavities by up to nearly 80% immediately, and up to 60% for four years or more.

Patients do inquire about the safety of sealants. We support the ADA reports that find sealants to be safe. Yes, there is a tiny amount of BPA in sealants but not enough to cause you or a loved one any harm. In fact, the ADA states, “People can get more exposure to BPA by simply touching a cash register receipt, using cosmetics or coming in contact with dust.”

Easy to apply, sealants take only a few minutes to apply to each tooth. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before reapplication may be needed.

Many dental plans do cover sealants as part of preventative dental care. Please inquire with our office team about insurance coverage.

If you want to take a friendly quiz on sealants, we invite you to visit the Mouth Friendly website created by the American Dental Association.

Dental Sealants