Dental sealants are one of the most effective and affordable steps you can take to prevent childhood tooth decay. And best of all, they’re usually completely covered by your dental insurance plan.
By applying sealants to posterior teeth with deep grooves and fissures (good hiding places for cavity causing bacteria) as early as possible, you can significantly reduce the chances of those surfaces succumbing to acids, plaque, and sugar. They’re a smart and simple investment in cavity prevention!
What is a Sealant?
Sealants are a very conservative way to help prevent tooth decay in posterior teeth. They are thin, protective coatings that shallow up the deep grooves and pits in the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth. By making the crevices in the top of the teeth shallower, it’s easier to effectively clean away food and plaque debris. Installation is easy for children to experience as they are a surface treatment that doesn’t require any numbing and they can be placed on all of the posterior molars in one visit.
Which Teeth are Protected?
Dental sealants are only placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, so they don’t protect the in-between areas where your child needs to floss. In most cases, only the permanent first and second molars are sealed. These teeth erupt around the ages of 6 and 12, give or take a year or so. There are of course, exceptions to the rule!
How are Sealants Applied?
The placement process for dental sealants only takes a few minutes. Usually, we can complete the application during your child’s dental checkup and cleaning, or reserve a short 20-30 minute appointment. It only takes about 2-3 minutes to seal one tooth. It’s quick and painless! No numbing is necessary.
How Long Will a Sealant Last?
Dental sealants can last as long as 10-20 years in some cases, but they aren’t permanent. Sticky textures of foods can pull sealants off your child’s teeth, requiring re-application at their next appointment. Our pediatric dentists and hygienists check the integrity of the sealants at regular cleaning checkup appointments.
Request an Appointment Today
If your child is starting to get their adult teeth, it may be time for dental sealants. Call Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan today to reserve their next checkup.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan has specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. We have the ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs as we have treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
