What Are Dental Sealants and How Do They Work?

Our teeth, especially our back molars and premolars, have intricate grooves and pits that act as natural chewing surfaces. While these grooves are essential for grinding food, they can also be a haven for cavity-causing bacteria and plaque, leading to tooth decay.

Dental sealants, a protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth, can shield against decay and support long-term tooth health. Read on to find out more about dental sealants and if they're right for you.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants, also referred to as teeth sealants, are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the grooved surfaces of permanent back teeth (molars) to help prevent food and bacteria from accumulating and causing tooth decay.¹

The narrow fissures and grooves on our back molars can be challenging to clean with regular brushing and flossing. Food particles can become trapped, creating an environment that encourages bacterial growth and makes teeth vulnerable to decay.²

While fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water helps protect most tooth surfaces, sealants can provide extra protection for the back teeth by keeping out food and germs and preventing cavity-causing plaque from accumulating. Teeth sealants may also reduce the need for more extensive dental treatments in the future, like fillings, crowns or caps to remedy decayed or infected teeth.²

Who Should Consider Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are particularly effective in children and teenagers, whose developing teeth can benefit significantly from this preventive procedure. Sealants are typically applied once the first molars come in, usually between the ages of 5 and 7. An additional set of dental sealants can be applied when the second set of permanent molars arrive, typically between the ages of 11 and 14.⁵

In some situations, your dentist may recommend sealants for your child’s baby teeth if those teeth have deep grooves or pits. Keeping baby teeth cavity-free helps ensure healthy permanent teeth.²

Though dental sealants are most commonly used with children and teenagers, anyone prone to tooth decay in their back teeth, including adults, may benefit from dental sealants to reduce the chance of tooth decay.⁴

Once applied, dental sealants help protect against 80% of cavities for two years.¹

How Much Do Dental Sealants Cost?

The cost of dental sealants per tooth ranges from $33 to $82, with an average cost* of $42.³

Average cost of dental sealants by state

The price of dental sealants can vary based on geographic location. Below is the average cost* of dental sealants for each state in the U.S.³

Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Sealants?

Insurance coverage for dental sealants varies among providers. Many dental insurance plans cover sealants 100% as a preventive benefit, while others may cover dental sealants only for children under the age of 18. Other insurance plans cover dental sealants for adults. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover dental sealants for enrolled children.⁴

Check with your dental insurance provider to understand your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

Applying dental sealants is a simple procedure that can be done during a regular dental checkup. The process includes the following steps:²

• The teeth are cleaned, dried and surrounded with cotton.

• A slightly acidic solution is applied to the teeth to create a rough surface, which makes it easier for the sealant to adhere.

• The solution is rinsed and the teeth are dried again. New cotton is applied.

• The sealant is brushed onto the teeth as a liquid. A curing light is usually used to help the bonding and hardening process.

• Once the sealant hardens, it becomes a plastic varnish coating, and you’re able to resume eating and drinking.

Though dental sealants offer protection against tooth decay, they are not a substitute for routine oral health.⁴ Continue to brush twice a day and floss once per day. Children under 6 should be supervised while brushing, and most children will need help with flossing until they're around 8 to 10 years old.⁶

Are Dental Sealants Safe?

Dental sealants are considered safe and effective for most people. Parents should be aware that some dental sealants contain a minute amount of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastics. However, the level of BPA in dental sealants (0.001%) is below levels known to cause harm, and the American Dental Association reports there is no evidence that exposure to BPA in dental sealants has harmful health effects.⁷

In rare cases, patients may have an allergic reaction to the materials used in sealants.⁷ Inform your dental care provider of any known allergies before the procedure.

Can Sealants Be Removed or Applied Over a Cavity or Filling?

While dental sealants are designed to be durable and long-lasting, they can be removed or replaced by a dentist if necessary. Replacement or removal might be required if the sealant is chipped or worn, or if there are concerns about the tooth's health underneath.⁴

Teeth sealants can also be placed over a tooth that shows early signs of tooth decay to help prevent the decay from spreading further.⁷

Sealants are typically not applied over existing dental work like fillings. If you have existing fillings, your dentist will assess the overall condition of your teeth to determine the most suitable approach for maintaining your oral health.⁸

Pros and Cons of Dental Sealants

If you are considering dental sealants, review some common pros and cons below.⁸

Pros:

• Reduced chance of cavities: Sealants offer significant protection against tooth decay, especially for children and individuals with a high chance of cavities.

• Minimal procedure: Applying sealants is a quick and painless procedure that does not require anesthesia.

• Durability: Sealants can last for five to 10 years, providing years of protection from dental decay.

• Cost-effective: Applying dental sealants is a fairly inexpensive process compared to the cost of fillings. In the long run, dental sealants can be a cost-effective way of preventing future dental problems.

Cons:

• Not a permanent solution: Sealants can wear down over time and may need reapplication. Regular checkups allow your dentist to monitor their condition and reapply if necessary.

• May not be covered by insurance: While generally affordable, sealants do incur an up-front cost that not all insurance plans will cover, or may only partially cover.

• Need to be applied before tooth decay sets in: Young children with advanced tooth decay may not be good candidates if the tooth decay has already progressed beyond what a sealant can protect. Your dentist will perform a thorough exam that usually includes X-rays to ensure sealants are not being applied to teeth that have already been compromised.

While dental sealants are not a substitute for daily oral hygiene that includes regular brushing, flossing and checkups, they are a valuable preventive tool for protecting against cavities and future dental problems. Consult with a trusted dental professional to determine if dental sealants are the right choice for you or your family’s dental needs.

Financing Dental Sealants With the CareCredit Credit Card

Whether you're getting dental sealants or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or oral surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit. Use the CareCredit credit card, again and again, to pay for your health and wellness wants and needs, and download the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.