Why Sealants on Molars Improve Your Oral Health
Dental sealants are an easy and effective way to protect your teeth. Sealants on molars can prevent cavities by up to 80%. This simple procedure at the dental office will help protect the teeth and dramatically reduce the cavity risk.
In this article, we will break down the sealants on molars procedure and the sealants on teeth pros and cons. We will also break down the sealants on teeth cost and how they can support your smile.
Table of Contents
What are Dental Sealants on Molars?
Dental sealants on molars are a thin, protective coating that is applied to the groovy chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, your toothbrush bristles are too large to get to the base of these grooves. Sealants seal off the grooves of the teeth so food, plaque, and bacteria can’t get trapped.
Having dental sealants placed is a quick procedure done by the dentist or dental hygienist. This helps keep the sealants on teeth cost lower compared to other dental treatments. Each tooth takes minutes long and doesn’t require any numbing. Over time, sealants may need to be touched up depending on your individual smile.
Steps to Dental Sealants on Molars
Dental sealants are placed on the chewing surface of the back teeth. There is no need to have sealants on the front teeth because they don’t have any grooves like the back teeth. Dental sealants on molars are a quick and painless procedure that includes a few steps.
- Your dental professional will first clean the surface to remove any food, plaque, and bacteria.
- The tooth will need to be isolated from the spit. In order for the sealant to hold, the tooth needs to stay completely dry.
- A dental material called etch will be placed on the tooth, then rinsed off and dried with air.
- A bonding agent is then painted on the tooth, dried with air, then hardened with a curing light. This is an optional step that some dentists and dental hygienists will use.
- The clear or tooth-colored sealant will be painted on with a brush and then hardened with a curing light.
- The dental professional will check the sealants on molars to ensure there aren’t any voids or excess material on the tooth.
The Average Sealants on Teeth Cost
Dental sealants on molars are a great way to prevent cavities and protect your teeth. They are a very quick procedure that doesn’t require any numbing. This helps keep the average sealants on teeth cost low. The range of sealants on teeth cost from $30-$60 per tooth.
Being a preventative procedure, most dental insurance providers will cover it for children under the age of 18. Some insurance plans stop covering dental sealants on molars even younger. Make sure to check with your dental team and insurance provider to learn more.
Sealants on Teeth Pros and Cons
Dental sealants on molars are a standard practice in most dental offices. They are a fast, convenient way to protect the teeth against cavities. This helps keep the average sealants on teeth cost low. To make the right decision for you, let’s go over the sealants on teeth pros and cons.
Pros for Sealants on Molars
Dental sealants are a great way to keep your smile strong. The sealants on teeth pros include:
- Takes very little time to complete.
- No numbing medicine is necessary for the procedure.
- Usually covered by dental insurance for children.
- Dramatically reduces your cavities risk by up to 80%.
Cons for Sealants on Molars
Although there are many positive aspects to dental sealants, they aren’t perfect. The small possibility for these cons for sealants are:
- They may need to be touched up in the future. Especially if you have a heavy bite, clench, grind, or chew ice.
- If done incorrectly, bacteria can get under the sealant and cause a cavity, especially if combined with poor oral hygiene and diet.
- Dental insurances tend to stop coverage for sealants for adults.
Other Ways to Prevent Cavities
Dental sealants on molars are a great way to reduce the risk of cavities. The sealants on teeth pros and cons show how convenient the treatment is. Although very effective, cavities can still occur on the tooth’s surface.
Ways to reduce the risk of cavities include:
- Brushing: Brushing 2 times a day for 2 minutes will effectively remove the food, plaque, and bacteria from two-thirds of the tooth’s surface. Using an electric toothbrush can be more efficient and effective.
- Remember to brush the tongue at each brushing session.
- Flossing: Flossing daily is the only way to remove the food, plaque, and bacteria from the remaining one-third of the tooth’s surface. It is equally as important as brushing and is best to do during your nighttime routine.
- Routine Dental Visits: Seeing your dental professionals for dental cleanings at least every 6 months can help reduce bacteria under the gum line where the toothbrush and floss can’t reach.
- Dental Nutrition: Packaged, processed foods present in today’s diet are a big culprit for cavities. Avoid gummies, sticky candies, and gummy vitamins that are high in sugar and get stuck in the teeth. Fermentable carbohydrates like crackers and chips also increase the cavity risk.
- Check out our Dental Nutrition Guide for more tips.
For more tips for keeping your smile strong, check out our Healthy Smile Guide. To learn more about cavities, check out our Articles on Cavities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sealants on molars necessary?
Sealants on molars are a preventative procedure completed in the dental office. Although not necessary, dental sealants are an easy way to dramatically reduce the risk of cavities.
Does sealing molars hurt?
Dental sealants are a painless procedure that does not require the teeth to get numb. The process does not require any drilling or scraping of the teeth and will not cause any sensitivity.
How long do molar sealants last?
Sealants on molars usually last around 10 years but can last longer. Clenching and grinding can cause sealants to wear off faster. Chewing hard items like ice, popcorn kernels, and nuts will break down sealants faster.
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