Sealants

Did you know that dental sealants on permanent molars can reduce the risk of cavities by up to 80%?

Even the most diligent brushing and flossing routine isn’t always enough to prevent cavities. Sealants are one of the best ways to protect your child’s teeth — especially back molars with deep grooves that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Those are areas where food and bacteria tends to collect and cavities readily form.

If your child’s adult teeth have started coming in and you’re curious about dental sealants, the dentists at Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville can help. We’ll work with you as a parent or guardian to decide if sealants are right for your child.

How Do Sealants Work?

Dental sealants are a tough, plastic material placed directly onto the surface of your child’s teeth. Our process for applying sealants is gentle and safe — teeth don’t even need to be numb.

Here’s how it works:

  1. The tooth is cleaned and prepared with a special cleanser that helps the sealant material stick to the tooth.
  2. The sealant material is brushed onto the tooth surface and dried with a special curing light to make it hard.

Think of it like applying nail polish to a fingernail.

Because sealants are a thin plastic material, they sometimes need to be replaced later, as they can wear away from the tooth surface.

Our dentists are compassionate, caring, gentle, empathetic, and sensitive to the needs of every child, especially those with Special Needs. Keep reading to learn more about our dental examinations and how they can help your child.

What Our Patients Say

 

Fluoride Testimonial

We had such a great experience with Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville! The staff was very friendly and accommodating to our 2 kids!

— Destaney R.

 

Call Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville at (434) 817-1817 or contact us online to learn more about how dental exams can help your child.

Are Sealants Right for Your Child?

The American Dental Association recommends that children receive dental sealants as soon as their permanent teeth come in. Dental sealants are a safe, effective, and long-lasting way to protect your child’s teeth from decay.

Not all teeth are good candidates for sealants, though. We can help you determine which teeth will receive the most benefit from the application.

If you have questions about sealants, we’d love to talk to you and help you understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sealants Safe?

Sealants are very safe!

You may have heard people talking about BPA (Bisphenol A), a resin used in many types of plastics. The levels of BPA in dental sealants is extremely low. In fact, sealants expose your child to less BPA than dust and even air. Simply breathing air exposes your child to about 100 times more BPA than dental sealants!

At What Age Should My Child Get Sealants?

Children lose their baby teeth and get their permanent teeth at different ages. We recommend sealants for most children when their permanent teeth come in.

My Child Has Special Needs and Has Trouble at the Dentist. Can You Still Do Sealants?

Yes, we can do sealants on patients with Special Health Care Needs. Children with Special Needs and children who have trouble cleaning their own teeth are often at a high risk for tooth decay. Sealants can be very beneficial for your child if he or she has Special Needs.

The dentists at Children’s Dentistry of Charlottesville have experience with and enjoy working with children who have Special Needs, including kids with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, children on the Autism Spectrum, and those who suffer from dental anxiety.

We’ll do our best to help your child relax and receive the care he or she needs. Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend nitrous oxide or other sedation dentistry options. If you have questions or concerns, please ask. We want you and your child to be completely comfortable throughout your visit.

“This dentist office is truly a blessing if your child has had bad precious experiences with the dentist or just a fear in general. My 5 year old had a terrifying experience at a younger age and I took her here yesterday and they where so awesome with her. The dental assistants are so outgoing and go above and beyond with the patients. This will forever be our new dentist!”

— Heather M.

Are Sealants Optional?

As with all treatment, the decision is ultimately yours. We understand and respect that. You have the right to decide what you think is best for you and your family. We are here to offer our expert recommendations, but if you don’t feel comfortable with dental sealants, then we will respect your preferences.

Do You Accept Insurance or Medicaid?

Yes! We accept Medicaid and many other insurance plans, including those from:

  • Cigna
  • Delta Dental
  • Guardian
  • Metlife
  • United Concordia

Call (434) 817-1817 to Schedule Your Appointment

Contact Us Online