Dental Sealants in Virginia Beach, VA

What Are Sealants for Teeth?

Dental sealants are thin coatings of white or clear plastic painted on the chewing surface of molars and premolars. The sealant covers the fissures and pits on the tops of the teeth so food cannot become trapped and cause cavities. It’s difficult, especially for children, to keep the grooves and pits clean with a toothbrush. A sealant dental treatment provides a barrier against bacteria and plaque, which cause cavities, making teeth much easier to keep clean.

What Are the Tooth Sealant Steps?

Having a dental sealant procedure is fast and completely painless. The steps for the procedure are the following:

1. One of our dental professionals will clean and dry the teeth.
2. Our dentist will use a gauge so your tooth stays dry.
3. Our dentist places a mild acid gel on the top of each tooth to make the surface rough. This helps the sealant form a firm bond with the tooth.
4. The teeth are rinsed and dried once more.
5. Our dentist paints the sealant on each molar being treated and then you wait for it to harden. Some sealant materials require the use of a special light to cure the sealant.
6. Once the sealant hardens, you are finished.

The sealants will last for five to 10 years, provided you maintain a regular checkup schedule so our dentist can look for wear or chipping.

What Do Sealants for Teeth Cost?

The sealant used and the number of teeth that are treated determine our patient’s tooth sealant cost. Dental sealants may be covered by your insurance plan. Contact our office to arrange a consultation. You can discuss the affordable dental sealants cost for your or for a child with one of our dental professionals.

Do Adults Ever Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants for adults are for individuals with healthy teeth that are at a higher than average risk for decay because of genetics, receding gums or medications that cause dry mouth. Adults that already have fillings in their molars will not benefit from sealants.

Why Do Kids Get Sealants on their Teeth?

Dental sealants applied to kid’s first and second molars can reduce the number of cavities that they get by up to 50 percent. Our dentists prefer to apply sealants as soon as permanent molars erupt, before any decay sets in, although, in children prone to decay, baby teeth may need dental sealants. Contact our office to make an appointment for children’s dental sealants in Virginia Beach.

How Safe Are Dental Sealants for Children?

Dentists have been using dental sealants to reduce the number of cavities that young patients experience since the 1960’s. Numerous studies have found sealants to be a safe and effective treatment. However, if you are still unsure, please call our office to speak with one of our dentists, who will help you determine if dental sealants are the right choice for a child.