Dental Sealants in Northwest San Antonio

The back teeth do most of the chewing, and their deep grooves are where many children’s cavities begin. Bristles can’t reach all the way to the bottom of those grooves, no matter how well your child brushes. That’s what dental sealants are for. Our pediatric dentists in San Antonio paint a thin, tooth-colored coating over the grooves so food and germs have nowhere to settle.

How do dental sealants work?

A sealant flows into the pits and grooves on the chewing surface of a molar and hardens into a smooth shield. With the grooves sealed, plaque has a much harder time collecting there, and brushing becomes more effective. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend sealants on children’s molars to prevent cavities.

What to expect when your child gets sealants

Placing sealants is quick, and most kids find it easy. There’s no numbing, and nothing is removed from the tooth.

1. We clean the tooth and keep it dry with cotton or a small isolation device.
2. A gentle solution prepares the surface so the sealant can grip it.
3. We paint on the sealant and harden it with a blue light.
4. We check the bite to make sure everything feels right.

Each tooth takes a few minutes. Your child can eat and drink normally right after.

We can often place sealants on the same day as a checkup, so you don’t need an extra trip.

When should kids get sealants?

The best time is soon after a molar comes in, before decay has a chance to start:

• First permanent molars: usually around age 6.
• Second permanent molars: usually around age 12.

Some children also benefit from sealants on baby molars or premolars with especially deep grooves. We’ll look at your child’s teeth and cavity risk at each exam and let you know which teeth would benefit.

Caring for sealants

Sealants are durable but not permanent. Chewing on ice, hard candy, or pens can chip them. We check every sealant at each checkup and repair or replace any that have worn. Brushing and Fluoride are still important, since sealants only cover the chewing surfaces.

Are sealants covered by dental insurance?

Many PPO dental plans treat sealants on permanent molars as preventive care, though age limits and tooth rules vary from plan to plan. Our team can check your child’s benefits for you before we place them.

Are dental sealants safe?

Yes. Sealants have been used for decades and are endorsed by the ADA and AAPD. Some parents ask about BPA. The ADA has found that the trace amount a person might be exposed to from a sealant is far below levels of concern, smaller than what we encounter in everyday life.

Do sealants replace brushing?

No. They protect the chewing surfaces, but cavities can still start between teeth and along the gumline. Daily brushing, flossing, and regular Exams & Cleanings still do most of the work.

How long do sealants last?

Many last for several years. Because we check them at every visit, we can touch them up as soon as we see wear.

Can a sealant go over a cavity?

Sealants are for healthy teeth or the very earliest changes. A tooth with a true cavity needs a different treatment, such as a filling. For a very early white spot, Curodont™ Repair may be an option.

Related: Fluoride, Exams & Cleanings, Curodont™ Repair, Preventive Dentistry