Sealants are usually 100% covered by dental insurance plans for kids under 18. Make the most of your benefits by contacting us for an appointment now.
To begin the process, your child will need a comprehensive oral exam and teeth cleaning. This ensures that their mouth is healthy, and helps Dr. Sholander or Dr. Goodman determine if sealants are right for them.
Sealants are usually applied in the same appointment as your child’s oral exam and teeth cleaning. The next step in the process is to prepare your little one’s tooth. A very mild acid will be applied to their rear molars. This roughens the surface to ensure the sealants bond properly to the tooth.
Your child’s teeth will be rinsed and dried. Then, Dr. Goodman or Dr. Sholander will apply a liquid resin sealant to each molar, coating it thoroughly to provide complete coverage of the tooth.
When the sealant has been applied, a special UV (ultraviolet) light will be used to “cure” the sealant, causing a chemical reaction that turns it from a liquid to a solid. This completes the procedure.
Sealants usually last anywhere from 5-10 years, making them a great long-lasting option for preventing cavities However, they don’t last forever. Over time, they may begin to fail and flake off of the tooth. This is harmless, but if this happens, your child should see Dr. Sholander or Dr. Goodman to have their sealants replaced.
This depends on your child’s oral health and whether they’re highly susceptible to cavities. Most kids will get their first set of sealants when their first permanent molars come out, which is usually at the age of 6 or 7.
Then, your child will get another set of sealants at about age 12, when their final set of 2nd molars erupts. At this time, Dr. Goodman or Dr. Sholander may check their first set of sealants to see if they’re still in good shape. At this time, they may choose to apply a new set of sealants to your child’s mouth.
After this, your child’s dental sealants may need to be replaced every 5-10 years, or whenever they wear out. During your child’s routine visits to Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Dr. Sholander or Dr. Goodman will check their sealants to make sure they’re in good condition.
In addition, they may stop recommending sealants altogether if your child has a healthy mouth, and they no longer believe your child has a raised risk of cavities. In most kids, treatment with sealants will be discontinued in their late teens or early adulthood.