Dental Sealants Protect The Areas That Are Difficult To Brush

At Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph, we have always been at the forefront of providing the most up-to-date care for our patients in a calm, caring environment. With this in mind, we have always been a proponent of sealants for all our patients.

What are Sealants, and do my children benefit from them?

Sealants today are considered an essential part of preventive dental care. They are beneficial in preventing dental caries on premolars and molar teeth on children and adults. A dental sealant is a protective barrier placed in the pits and fissures of teeth by sealing out food and bacteria, which results in cavities. Sealants can reduce the incidence of cavities 86% the first year and up to 58% after four years.

Does Insurance cover sealants?

Most insurance companies cover sealants at 100% on permanent teeth up to age 14 under preventive care. Always check with your insurance company for the specifics of your individual plan. It is important to note that even if sealants aren’t entirely covered with your insurance, it is still a worthwhile expense as the cost of sealants are still significantly less than the price of dental fillings and much more pleasurable experience.

Common health concerns?

The utility of composite resin materials used in fillings and sealants is well established, while any health risks from their use are not. The exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) in dental sealants is considered less of a threat than the risk of dental caries. Dental caries is the most common chronic disease of children 6 to 19 years of age four times more common than asthma among adolescents aged 14 to 17 years. Untreated cavities can cause pain, dysfunction, absence from school, poor appearance, and can lead to the spread of infection. These problems significantly affect a child’s quality of life.

Do sealants hurt, who applies dental sealants, and is it a lengthy procedure?

Dental sealants do not hurt and do not impair or prevent children from eating after the procedure. Most appointments for sealant placement are under 20 minutes. In our office, a licensed dental associate will apply dental sealants. We also guarantee our sealants for two years from the initial placement.

If you have any further questions regarding dental sealants, please ask one of our fantastic office staff members, and they will be happy to help you.