SERVING THE GREATER PHOENIX AREA
What Are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a coating that prevents tooth decay. AZ Family Dental offers dental sealants for patients of all ages.
Request an appointment with our team to discuss and book a dental sealant treatment in Phoenix, Arizona.
Prevent Tooth Decay With Dental Sealants
Brushing and flossing remove most of the buildup that can cause tooth decay. However, it’s difficult to reach all the nooks and crannies of the mouth on your own. You can help keep your teeth clean between dental visits by choosing a dental sealant.
A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that is painted onto the top of each tooth, usually with a focus on the back teeth used for chewing. The coating forms on the teeth, creating a protective layer against food particles and plaque while still allowing the patient to chew normally. Dental sealants prevent cavity-causing bacteria from accumulating by keeping food and plaque off the tooth surfaces.
Who Are Dental Sealants For?
Dental sealants are most common in younger patients whose adult teeth have come in. Adolescents are more likely to develop tooth decay, so sealants can ensure their teeth stay strong into adulthood. In most cases, we’ll provide sealants for permanent molars and premolars as soon as they erupt.
While most patients who receive dental sealants are children, we also seal teeth for adults. As an adult, you may be a candidate for dental sealants if your molars have little decay and are free of fillings.
Sealant Application
At AZ Family Dental, our sealant application is a painless process that’s quick and comfortable for the patient. We seal each tooth in a matter of minutes. During the process, we:
- Clean each tooth that we’ll seal.
- Dry each tooth, then apply cotton to keep them dry.
- Administer an acidic solution to harden the chewing surfaces.
- Rinse and dry each tooth after applying the acid.
- Apply the sealants onto the enamel and allow it to set.
Dental Sealant Statistics
- 41.7% of children 6 to 11 years old have dental sealants.
- Sealants can reduce decay by 80% for two years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to four years.
- Sealants are 90% effective when first placed and for up to two years thereafter.
- Studies have reported sealant success levels of 80% to 90% after 10 or more years.
- Recent studies from 2012 to 2022 showed resin sealant has a high retention rate of up to 80% after 2 years.
- Dental sealants stop 80% of cavities from starting in the back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur.
- Pit and fissure sealants can be applied on primary and permanent teeth to prevent and arrest early enamel caries.
Educational Video:
Frequently Asked Questions for Dental Sealants
Our dentists will administer dental sealants to adults to minimize the risk of tooth decay. A dental sealant is a protective barrier between the surface of your teeth and plaque and bacteria that lead to tooth decay.
Dental sealants can protect against 80% of cavities for two years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years. As time goes on, your sealants will become less effective. Because of this, many people will schedule an appointment for a sealant touch-up, but this isn’t necessary for several years. If you go in for a touch-up, sealants dissolve on their own over time, and our dentists can place new sealants directly on top of the old ones.
Dental sealants are typically made up of composite resin but can also be made from glass ionomer or polyacid resin. These materials are whitish in color to blend in with your teeth while protecting the surface from plaque and bacteria.
Dental sealants are for any age: children, teenagers, or adults. They’re most commonly used in children because they have undeveloped enamel and are more cavity-prone. If you’re especially prone to cavities, dental sealants offer excellent added protection.
Whether your dental insurance covers sealants comes down to the specific provider. Many dental plans will cover sealants for children under 18 due to the higher risk of cavities. Some plans may only partially cover dental sealants. More and more insurance companies are beginning to recognize the importance of dental protection and adding sealant coverage to their plan.
Our Dental Office Locations
Same and Next Day New Patient Appointments Available!
Glendale
8519 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302, United States
Cave Creek
28255 N Tatum Blvd Suite 4, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, United States
Phoenix
1820 W Thunderbird Rd suite 1, Phoenix, AZ 85023, United States
