Dental sealants are like shields for your teeth, protecting against tooth decay and creating an impenetrable barrier that blocks bacteria and food particles from settling into the vulnerable grooves of your teeth. These thin, protective coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (premolars and molars), where deep pits and fissures create perfect hiding spots for cavity-causing bacteria that brushing and flossing often miss.
At Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer high-quality, long-lasting dental sealants as part of our comprehensive preventive care approach. Our experienced team takes pride in helping patients of all ages maintain optimal oral health through preventive treatments that can save time, money, and discomfort in the long run. If you’re looking for ways to enhance your family’s oral health protection, sealants may be just what you need.
What Are Dental Sealants, and Who Should Get Them?
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. These teeth have natural grooves and depressions that make them particularly susceptible to decay. The sealant material, which is typically made from dental-grade resin, flows into these grooves and hardens, forming a protective barrier that prevents food particles and bacteria from becoming trapped in areas difficult to clean with regular brushing.
This simple, non-invasive treatment can benefit patients of any age, but it’s particularly valuable for the following groups:
Children and Teenagers
As soon as your child’s premolars erupt, they can get sealants to protect these teeth from cavities. This typically occurs around age 6 for the first molars and 12 for the second molars. During these cavity-prone years, sealants provide crucial protection while children develop good oral hygiene habits.
Sealants also benefit teenagers significantly, especially if they regularly consume sugary snacks and beverages. The added protection helps safeguard their teeth during these higher-risk years.
Adults Without Fillings
Adults without existing fillings or decay in their molars can also benefit from sealants. If deep grooves in your back teeth tend to trap food particles, sealants may provide the extra protection you need to prevent future cavities.
What to Expect During the Dental Sealant Procedure?
While a dental treatment may seem daunting, getting dental sealants is a quick, painless process that requires no drilling, anesthesia, or removal of tooth structure. Our dedicated professionals guide you through every step of your dental sealant procedure, which includes the following steps:
Cleaning: Before we apply the sealants, we thoroughly clean the molars to ensure no bacteria gets trapped underneath the material.
Tooth preparation: Next, we dry and isolate the teeth, getting sealants to prevent moisture contamination.
Etching solution: We briefly apply an etching solution to roughen the tooth surface for better adhesion.
Rinse and dry: We rinse and dry the teeth one more time before applying the sealant material.
Sealant application: Once the teeth are fully prepped, we paint the liquid sealant material onto the chewing surface.
Curing: A special curing light hardens the sealant in just seconds.
The entire process usually takes only a few minutes per tooth. Because the procedure is non-invasive, you can immediately return to your normal activities without restrictions or recovery time.
What Are the Benefits and Longevity of Dental Sealants?
Preventative care is essential to keeping your smile healthy, detecting issues early, and saving you time and money in the dentist’s chair. Sealants are an effective and hassle-free form of preventative care that offer the following benefits:
Cavity Prevention
The primary benefit is cavity prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sealants can reduce the risk of decay in molars by up to 80%. This protection is especially valuable on chewing surfaces.
Cost-Effectiveness
While sealants are an additional service to your usual cleanings, the expense of applying sealants is significantly less than the cost of treating cavities with fillings, crowns, or other restorative procedures. Many dental insurance plans cover sealants for children, making them even more affordable.
Long-Lasting
With proper care, dental sealants can last for many years. While they may eventually wear down with normal chewing, regular dental checkups allow us to monitor their condition and reapply when necessary. Most sealants last between five and 10 years before needing replacement.
Natural Look
Sealant material is typically made from dental-grade resin similar to that used in composite fillings. It’s completely safe and can be clear, white, or slightly tinted to match your natural tooth color. Once applied, sealants are virtually invisible when you talk or smile, making them an aesthetically pleasing preventive option.
Contact Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to Learn More About Dental Sealants
At Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re all about keeping dentistry simple, friendly, and prevention-focused. Our team is led by Dr. Jillian Wolske, who brings valuable experience from her service in the United States Navy, where she enlisted as a Dental Technician. This military background instilled the precision, attention to detail, and dedication to service that define our practice today. We’re also proud to offer Spanish-speaking services to better serve our diverse community.
Protecting your teeth from decay is easier than ever with dental sealants. Whether you’re considering sealants for yourself or your child, our team at Port City Dentistry is here to help you maintain a healthy, cavity-free smile.
📍 Location: 4700 New Centre Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405
📞 Call us today to schedule your appointment: 910-613-5635
Invest in your oral health with dental sealants in Wilmington, NC—contact Port City Dentistry today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Sealants in Wilmington, NC
Dental sealants create a protective barrier on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars, which are prone to dental caries due to their deep grooves and fissures. These resin based sealants fill in the pits where bacteria and food particles often get trapped, making it easier to keep teeth healthy. By blocking these vulnerable areas, sealants significantly reduce the risk of cavities and are a recommended preventive measure by the American Dental Association for children and adults alike.
Dental sealant placement is typically recommended when a child’s permanent molars begin to erupt, usually around age 6 for the first molars and age 12 for the second molars. This timing is crucial because these teeth are at higher risk of developing dental caries. Applying fissure sealants during these early years helps protect the permanent teeth as children develop good oral hygiene habits, playing a key role in effective caries prevention.
Dental sealants are commonly made from dental-grade resin based materials that are safe, durable, and effective in preventing decay. Resin based sealants bond well to the tooth surface, providing a long-lasting protective shield against dental caries. These materials are approved by the American Dental Association and are color-matched to be nearly invisible. Their safety and efficacy have been widely studied, making them a trusted option in pediatric dentistry and adult preventive care.
The American Dental Association endorses the use of fissure sealants as a highly effective method for preventing dental caries, especially on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars and premolars. They recommend sealant application as part of a comprehensive caries prevention plan, emphasizing its benefits in maintaining teeth healthy by blocking bacteria and food debris from settling in grooves that brushing alone may miss. Sealants are widely recognized as a valuable tool in both pediatric dentistry and adult oral care.
Adults can also benefit from dental sealants, particularly if they have deep grooves or fissures in their permanent molars that trap food and bacteria, increasing the risk of dental caries. While pediatric dentistry focuses heavily on early placement, sealants can be an effective preventive option for adults without existing fillings or decay. Sealants help maintain teeth healthy by providing an extra layer of protection, complementing regular dental hygiene practices for long-term oral health.