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Pediatric Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants

A dental sealant is a thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. School-age children with sealants are 3 times less likely to develop cavities than those that do not have sealants.

At Palisades Dental Care, we highly recommend that you have Dr. Sharlini Sockanathan apply dental sealants to your child’s teeth.

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are an easy way to protect your child’s teeth. They act as a barrier for cavity-prone areas, such as the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants can be used on baby teeth as well as permanent teeth.

Treatment Process

The process of applying dental sealants is quick and painless. There is no need for anesthetic or drilling. When you arrive, your child will be placed in a dental chair in an exam room.

Sealants are typically applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth because those are harder to get to and clean with a toothbrush and toothpaste. They seal the surface of the tooth to keep bacteria out.

We start by cleaning the teeth that are being sealed with a polishing brush and gritty toothpaste, or pumice. Then, the teeth will be dried with a small cotton roll or cheek shield known as a dry angle. An etching solution will be applied to the surface of the teeth that are being sealed to disinfect them and prepare them for better adherence. Then, the etching solution will be rinsed off and the teeth dried again.

Finally, Dr. Sockanathan will apply a bonding layer and the sealant to the tooth and use an LED light to “cure” the sealant. Once the sealant is hardened, the appointment is complete. Each tooth takes about one minute and there are no restrictions following the appointment. The patient can go right back to school and eat/drink immediately.

Get Dental Sealants for Your Child's Teeth

Dental sealants are ideal for younger, school-aged children between the ages of 6 and 11. They are applied to the back teeth to keep out bacteria because those are harder to get to, even with proper dental hygiene habits.

Schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Sockanathan today to have dental sealants applied. The process is quick, easy, and painless and will go a long way in creating a positive experience for your child at the dentist.

FAQs

At Palisades Dental Care in Dumont, NJ, we treat a lot of pediatric patients with dental sealants. Still, we get a lot of questions. Some of the most common questions we get about dental sealants include:

How long do dental sealants last?

Once sealants are applied, they last an average of 10 years with proper care. They do not need to be removed but will wear off gradually. They can be reapplied as necessary.

Are dental sealants worth the money?

Yes, according to the experts, dental sealants are well worth the money. Dental sealants cost an average of $30 to $60 per tooth. According to the CDC, 80% of cavities are prevented two years after application, and 50% are prevented up to four years. Sealants typically last about 10 years. This saves a lot of money and time on dental care because you don’t have to worry so much about cavities.

Are dental sealants painful?

No, dental sealants are not painful. The process is quick and easy, and each tooth only takes about a minute. Once the sealants are applied and dried, your child can go back to their normal activities, even eating and drinking right away.

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