WatchDental Sealants

Why dental sealants belong on every parent's radar

A toothbrush can only do so much against the natural pits and grooves on the chewing surface of a child's molars, which is exactly why those back teeth are the most common site for childhood cavities. Dental sealants close that gap with a simple, painless coating that's brushed on and lasts for years.

This video shows the application process from start to finish, and it's quicker than most parents expect: each tooth is cleaned and dried, a thin layer of liquid resin gets brushed into the grooves, and a special light hardens it in seconds. No drilling, no anesthesia, and no discomfort enter into it at any point.

Kids with sealants develop significantly fewer cavities in their back teeth than kids without, according to the American Dental Association, and the protective layer typically holds up for 5 to 10 years before it needs reapplying. Few preventive treatments we offer deliver as much value for as little cost, especially set against what treating the cavities sealants prevent would run.

Most children get sealants shortly after the first permanent molars come in around age 6, then again when the second molars erupt around age 12. At Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry, sealants get checked at every checkup, and parents hear right away if any need touching up.

Read the video transcript