What are dental sealants? They are thin plastic coatings that a dentist paints onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent cavities. Kids get them most often, but some adults qualify too. Our Scottsdale office places them as part of pediatric dentistry and everyday family dental care.
By Dr. Eric Lernor, DDS, Family Dentist, Lernor Family Dental
Back teeth are not flat. Their chewing surfaces are full of grooves and tiny pits (small dents in the enamel, the hard outer shell of a tooth). A sealant is a thin protective layer bonded into those grooves. It turns a rough, hard-to-clean surface into a smooth one.
Parents often ask, "What are dental sealants good for if my child already brushes?" The answer is reach. A toothbrush bristle is wider than many deep pits and narrow spots, so plaque (the sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth) and food particles stay behind. The bacteria feed on sugar and make acid, and that acid weakens enamel until tooth decay starts.
What Is a Dental Sealant Made Of?
Most sealants are resin, a dental-grade plastic that flows into the grooves as a liquid and then hardens into a smooth barrier. Some are glass ionomer, a material that bonds to the surface and can release a little fluoride. The dentist picks one based on the patient's age and how well the surface can be kept dry during placement.
How Do Sealants Protect Teeth From Cavities?
The coating works as a barrier. It fills the grooves, so plaque and bacteria lose the hiding places where they attack enamel, and the smooth surface is easier to clean at home. The CDC reports that sealants can lower the risk of cavities in back teeth by about 80 percent during the first two years, and that they keep offering some protection for up to four years. Those figures come from studies of groups of children. How one molar does depends on its shape and on daily oral hygiene.
Think of sealants as a barrier against bacteria, not a replacement for other treatments. They cover the chewing surfaces only, so brushing and floss still have to handle the sides of each tooth and the spaces between teeth.
Who Needs Sealants?
The teeth that benefit most have deep grooves, and those are most common in a child's new molars. The table shows how a dentist usually sorts the cases. That call is made case by case.
| Situation | Is a sealant usually considered? |
|---|---|
| Healthy, newly erupted permanent molars | Yes, this is the most common case |
| Premolars with deep grooves and pits | Often, once the dentist has looked |
| Baby molars with deep pits, in a child prone to cavities | Sometimes |
| Adult molars with deep grooves and no fillings | Sometimes, if the tooth is healthy |
| Any back tooth with an existing cavity | Treated first, not sealed over |
Dental Sealants for Kids: Which Children Need Them and When?
Timing follows the teeth. First permanent molars (the adult back teeth that arrive behind the baby teeth) usually come in around age 6, and second permanent molars around age 12. Dentists generally seal permanent molars soon after they erupt, because new teeth are more exposed to decay and children often miss the back of the mouth when brushing. Baby molars with deep grooves are sometimes sealed too, as are premolars, the smaller teeth in front of the molars.
Not every child needs every tooth sealed. A child with shallow surfaces and few cavities may not need them, while a child with a history of decay has a stronger case. Sealants are routine dental care at a family practice, and parents choosing between a pediatric or family dentist can ask about them at the first visit. Sealants also suit only healthy or very early surfaces. Once a cavity has formed, the usual answer is a filling or baby tooth crown, and the dentist decides which.
Sealants for Adults: Can Adults Get Them Too?
Yes, adults can get them. Sealants for adults are less common because many adult molars already hold fillings, and years of chewing wear them shallower. That is why dentists seal fewer adult teeth: there is often less untouched, deeply grooved enamel left. An adult whose back teeth still have deep grooves and no fillings may be a candidate, and an exam settles it. A sealant does not repair damage that is already there, so any decay is treated first.
How Is a Sealant Applied, and Does It Hurt?
Placement is quick, not a long dental appointment, and in many cases it needs no numbing because nothing is drilled. At our Scottsdale office, the steps go like this:
- The dentist examines the tooth and treats any early decay first.
- The surface is cleaned with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) spray.
- The tooth is dried and kept dry, since moisture weakens the bond.
- The surface is etched, meaning lightly roughened with a conditioning gel, so the sealant can grip.
- The dentist paints the liquid sealant over the surface.
- A special blue light then hardens the coating.
Most children find it easy. They may notice air, a small light and the taste of the material, but the process is usually painless.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants commonly last several years. Wear depends on the material, how dry the surface stayed during placement, and habits such as chewing ice or hard candy. Protection is strongest early on, which is why regular appointments matter: our team checks sealants at routine exams and can fix them when needed.
Can a Worn or Chipped Sealant Be Repaired or Replaced?
Yes. When a sealant chips or wears thin, the dentist can clean the surface and patch or replace it. Do not wait for the next checkup if you feel a rough edge with your tongue. A lost sealant leaves the surface open again, and food particles and bacteria can collect there, which raises the chance of decay in that spot. Early repair helps protect teeth between visits.
Are Dental Sealants Worth It?
For a child with deep grooves in new molars, sealants are often a reasonable, low-effort step compared with the fillings and other treatments that cavities can bring. For someone with shallow surfaces and strong oral hygiene, the case is weaker. The honest answer is that it depends on the tooth. Our General Dentistry team checks each molar at a routine exam, and the answer comes from that look, not from a rule. Sealants support oral health best alongside brushing, floss and regular visits.
Are Sealants Safe for Children and Adults?
Sealants have been used in dentistry for decades, and the CDC and the American Dental Association both support their use. Materials differ, so tell the dentist about any allergy or past reaction to dental materials before placement. The dentist decides whether a given material suits the patient.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Sealants?
It depends on the plan. Many dental plans count sealants as preventive care, often with limits on age, which teeth qualify and how often a tooth can be sealed again, and adult coverage may be narrower. Your benefits summary or your insurer gives the real answer. We do not quote a sealant price here, because cost depends on how many teeth are sealed. Call (602) 485-4747 with questions about your visit.
Questions People Ask About Tooth Sealants
Are sealants for teeth necessary?
No, not for everyone. Sealants are one of several preventive treatments, not a requirement. A child with deep grooves in new back teeth has a stronger case than someone with shallow, well-cleaned surfaces. Dr. Lernor examines each tooth and explains whether sealing makes sense, so you and your child can decide together.
What are the downsides of dental sealants?
Sealants can chip or wear down and may need repair, so they need checking at regular appointments. A surface that is hard to keep dry during placement may not bond as well. They also cover only the chewing surface, so brushing and floss still matter for the rest of the tooth. Raise any concerns about materials with the dentist.
How much does a tooth sealant cost?
Cost depends on how many teeth are sealed and what your dental plan covers, so there is no single number to quote here. Lernor Family Dental offers new patients a $49 exam and x-rays, which is where the dentist looks at your teeth and explains which ones, if any, could be sealed.
Do sealants mean my child can skip brushing?
No. A sealant guards the chewing surface of one tooth, while plaque still builds along the gumline and between teeth. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth remain the foundation of oral hygiene and long-term oral health. Sealants add an extra barrier on top of those habits and never replace them.
Ask Dr. Lernor About Sealants at Your Next Visit
Our Scottsdale practice has been in business since 2003, so bring your sealant questions to your next family dental care visit and pick a time with Book Appointment.