Dental Sealants

A dental sealant is a thin coating bonded into the grooves of a back tooth. Those grooves are narrower than a toothbrush bristle, so decay often begins there. At Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness in Laguna Hills, sealants go on children’s permanent molars soon after they come through. Adults with deep grooves and no decay can have them too. Placement takes a few minutes per tooth and involves no drilling and no numbing.

What is a dental sealant?

It is a flowable resin that fills the pits and grooves on a chewing surface. Molars and premolars carry folds in the enamel from the day they form. Some folds are deeper than a bristle can reach, so plaque sits in them undisturbed. A sealant closes the fold and gives the brush a smooth surface to clean. The material bonds to enamel, so no healthy tooth structure is removed. Sealants are clear or white and sit flush with the bite. Front teeth are rarely sealed, because they have no deep grooves.

Who should have sealants, children or adults?

Both, though the usual patient is a child. First permanent molars arrive around age six and second molars around age twelve. The first two years after a molar erupts carry the highest decay risk, so that is when we seal. Adults qualify when the grooves are deep, stained and still free of decay. A history of cavities in back teeth moves the decision toward sealing, and so does dry mouth from medication. We check each tooth with a general dentistry exam and x-rays first, because sealing over hidden decay is a mistake.

How is a sealant placed?

In about five minutes per tooth, with no drill and no injection. The tooth is cleaned and dried, then an etching gel roughens the enamel for around 20 seconds. The gel is rinsed away and the tooth is dried again. Keeping the tooth dry is the part that decides whether the sealant holds, so we use cotton rolls and suction. The resin is flowed into the grooves and hardened with a curing light. We check the bite and adjust any high spot. Children can eat right away.

How long do sealants last?

Most last three to five years, and some last longer. Chewing wears the surface slowly, and a corner can chip without you noticing. That is why the hygienist checks each sealed groove at every recall visit. A worn sealant is repaired by adding material, which takes a few minutes. One that has come away completely is replaced. There is no drilling in either case. Grinding at night shortens the life of a sealant, so we look at wear patterns on the other teeth as well and talk about a night guard when we see them.

What do sealants not prevent?

They do not prevent decay between teeth. A sealant covers the chewing surface only, and the contact area between two molars stays open to plaque. Floss or interdental brushes handle that surface, and bitewing digital x-rays let us see it. We show you the contact areas on the image and demonstrate the flossing angle that reaches them.

Sealants also do not treat decay that is already present. If an x-ray shows decay under a groove, the tooth needs a filling instead. Sealing over active decay hides the problem, so we check first and treat what we find.

What do sealants cost?

We quote sealants in writing after an examination, itemized per tooth. The number of teeth, the condition of the grooves and whether a tooth needs a filling instead all change the plan. You see the quote before we place anything, and we do not publish prices.

We are in network with most major PPO plans and Delta Dental HMO, and many plans cover sealants for children under a set age. We check that for you before the appointment. For larger treatment plans, outside payment plans run through CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit and Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub). Third party financing is available and the practice is not the creditor. Call (949) 830-0074, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or use the contact page.

Questions people ask about dental sealants

At what age should my child have sealants?

Soon after each permanent molar comes through. First molars arrive around age six and second molars around age twelve. We seal within a year or two of eruption, because that is when the grooves are deepest and the enamel is still maturing. Baby molars are sealed sometimes, usually when a child has already had decay. We check at each six month visit and tell you when a tooth is ready.

Do sealant materials contain BPA?

Some resin materials release trace amounts of BPA related compounds right after placement. The amount measured in saliva is very small and falls within hours. Rinsing and wiping the sealed surface after curing lowers it further, and we do that as routine. If you would rather avoid resin, say so and we will build a preventive plan around fluoride varnish, diet review and a shorter recall interval.

Can an adult have sealants?

Yes. An adult molar with deep stained grooves and no decay is a reasonable candidate, especially with dry mouth, receding gums or two or more cavities in the last three years. The placement is identical, with no drilling and no numbing. We check the tooth with an x-ray first, because a sealant over existing decay traps the problem instead of solving it.

Will a sealant feel odd when I bite?

For a day or so, sometimes. We check the bite with marking paper and adjust before you leave, so a high spot is usually caught at the appointment. If the tooth still feels proud when you bite after two days, call (949) 830-0074 and we will adjust it. An adjustment takes minutes and needs no numbing.

Do sealants replace brushing and fluoride?

No. A sealant protects the grooves of one surface. Brushing twice daily with a fluoride paste protects every surface, and flossing handles the contacts a sealant cannot reach. Fluoride varnish at the cleaning visit helps enamel across the whole mouth. We use the three together, and we review which teeth are at risk at each exam.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. What is right for you can only be decided after an examination.