Dental Sealants

Yes. Sealants have been used and studied for decades and are endorsed by the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the CDC, which promotes school-based sealant programs nationwide. The common concern parents raise is BPA. Some sealant materials can release a trace amount for a few hours after placement — far below any level considered harmful, and less than what you would encounter from ordinary food packaging. We use BPA-free materials and are glad to show you the product information at your visit.

Usually between five and ten years, though this varies with your child's bite and chewing habits. Sealants wear down gradually rather than falling off all at once. We check them at every six-month cleaning and reapply or repair them as needed, which is included in the routine visit.

Yes, in two ways. A sealant protects only the chewing surface, so decay can still start between teeth where the sealant does not reach — flossing remains essential. A sealant can also chip or wear, exposing the groove again. This is exactly why we inspect them twice a year rather than treating sealants as permanent.

Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children on permanent molars, often at or near 100%, though some plans apply age limits. Our team verifies your specific coverage before we place them so there are no surprises. Even paying entirely out of pocket, a sealant costs substantially less than the filling it is designed to prevent.

Sometimes. We generally focus on permanent molars, but a baby molar with unusually deep grooves in a child who is prone to cavities can be a reasonable candidate. We will look at your child's actual teeth and risk level and give you a straight recommendation either way.