Dental Sealants at Farmington Family Dental
What are dental sealants?
A dental sealant is a plastic filling or tooth-colored filling that's put over the top of a groove on a tooth to seal it off. It's similar to putting caulk in your kitchen where the sink meets the counter to keep that gap sealed. We do the same for a tooth to help protect it. That's a sealant.
How do dental sealants work?
Dental sealants work by keeping food out and away from the tooth so it can't get packed down into the grooves and nooks and crannies of the tooth. This helps keep the tooth cleaner and also keeps bacteria away from the tooth surface, preventing cavities.
Are there different types of dental sealants?
There are two core types of dental sealants, which use different materials. One is a plastic-type material that bonds onto the tooth. It's glued on and holds on well. The other type is a glass ionomer. It's a bit easier to apply and more moisture tolerant. We exclusively use the plastic type in our office.
How does a dentist put dental sealants on teeth?
The first thing we need to do is clean off the tooth. Usually, a tooth that's getting a sealant has a groove that's catchy, rough, or pitted. We clean all that out, removing food, bacteria, and plaque.
Once it's cleaned, we condition it with a material that prepares the tooth surface for the sealant. Then, we dry it thoroughly, apply the sealant, and use a light to cure and harden it.
Before you leave, I run the explorer, a sharp tool used in dentistry, along the grooves to ensure they're smooth and the sealant is secure. If it comes up or breaks loose, it indicates it wasn't bonded well, and I need to redo it. By the time you leave, you'll have a high-quality sealant that you can't feel when you bite. It feels great.
What to do after you get your dental sealant?
After you get your dental sealant, you don't need to wait to brush or eat. The material hardens instantly. This is what I like about the plastic type dental sealants instead of the glass ionomer, which requires you to wait 30 minutes or an hour before eating.
How long do dental sealants help a tooth?
As long as the dental sealant remains in place on the tooth, it's helping. This is one reason I want to see you every six months for check-ups. During these visits, I check the dental sealants. If they've chipped or cracked, sometimes we leave them off, and other times we reapply them, depending on your age, the development of the tooth, and the surrounding conditions.
Can dental sealants help with sensitive teeth?
They might help, but I've never really heard from someone that it does.
Can you get a dental sealant if you have a filling on the tooth or if you have tooth decay?
If there's decay in the area we're working on for the dental sealant, no. You need to get that cleaned up, and it should be a filling instead of a sealant. I wish we could have applied a sealant before it needed a filling. If you have a filling in another part of the tooth and a separate area needs a sealant, it can be done.
If you have a filling over the tooth where we would normally seal, there's no point in applying a sealant over it. A filling is just a larger version of the same type of material.
How much does it cost to do a dental sealant?
It's cheaper than a filling, which we're trying to prevent. As of today, 2025, it costs around $150 to $170. It's quite a bit less than a filling, which starts at around $200 to $250. It's cheaper than a filling and better for the tooth. Our main objective is to keep that tooth in your mouth as long as possible, and dental sealants help achieve that goal. It's like putting armor on your truck.
How can I schedule an appointment to have a dental sealant applied to my teeth?
At Farmington Family Dental, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (573) 637-4404 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.