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What Are Dental Sealants? Should My Children Get Them?

Greetings and Salutations,

A question came up today from a patient. I thought it would make a GREAT topic for this week. The questions was:

"Can you tell me more about dental sealants? Can my kid have them?"

It's a common question, that frankly, doesn't get enough attention. Sealants are a thin plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Usually, not always though, sealants are placed on back teeth. Sealants quickly bond to groves and depressions in the teeth which is then used as the protective shield. It helps prevent decay from starting in those hard to get areas.

For children, it is very common for kids to be evaluated between the ages of 6 and 14. Placing sealants at these ages can help prevent cavities. OH BUT WAIT! They aren't just for children though. Adults can benefit from sealants. The only thing is; it gets tricky when it comes to insurance.

Most of the time, sealants are a covered benefit---but only for children between those ages. Some insurance companies have age requirements that are group specific, so its best to talk to the front office, (because NO ONE wants to call their insurance) and find out if you have coverage. Unfortunately, most policies do not cover sealants for adults. So, more than likely you would have to pay out of pocket for those services. However, it can be cheaper than getting a nasty cavity!

How long do they last?

In ideal situations,  we hope to get 10 years of protection from sealants. However, children need to be checked regularly for chipping or wearing down of the teeth. Personally, I replace sealants if I feel it may be time to replace them, not by the duration of time the sealants have been there.

How do I know if my kids should get them?

You can make an appointment for your child or children to be evaluated soon, or they can be evaluated at their next cleaning. In the mean time, don't "seal" up that conversation! (I love those puns....) Keep the dialogue open and stay healthy!

Smiles,

Dr. E

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