Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants in Austin and Round Rock, TX

At Forest Family Dentistry we recommend dental sealants as one of the most affordable and effective ways to protect teeth from cavities, and we offer them for patients of all ages across all five of our Austin and Round Rock locations. If you have kids who are getting their adult molars in or you are an adult who tends to be cavity prone, sealant is one of the easiest investments you can make in your long term oral health.

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What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin protective coatings made from safe, BPA free resin that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, specifically the molars and premolars where cavities most commonly form. The grooves and pits in those teeth are deep enough that even thorough brushing cannot always reach them, giving bacteria and food particles a place to hide a build up over time. Sealants fill in those grooves and create a smooth barrier that is much easier to keep clean, dramatically reducing a chance of a cavity forming in those areas.

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What to Expect at Your Appointment

Getting sealants is completely painless and typically takes less than thirty minutes. There is no drilling involved and nothing is removed from the tooth. Your dentist will clean and dry the tooth, apply a gentle solution to help the sealant bond, paint the sealant onto the surface, and then cure it with a small light. That is it. You can eat and drink normally right after your appointment.

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How Long Do They Last?

With good brushing habits and regular dental visits, sealants typically last anywhere from five to ten years or longer. We check them at every routine visit and can reapply them easily if they show signs of wear, so your protection stays continuous over time.

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Sealants vs Fillings

The difference between the two comes down to timing. Sealants are applied to healthy teeth to prevent a cavity from ever forming in the first place. Fillings come after a cavity has already developed and require removing the decayed portion of the tooth before the filling is placed. Getting a sealant costs significantly less than getting a filling and preserves more of your natural tooth structure in the process. It is one of the clearest examples in dentistry of prevention being far better than treatment.

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Who Should Get Dentist Sealants?

Children who have recently gotten their permanent molars are the most common recipients since those teeth are brand new and worth protecting from the start. But teens and adults who are prone to cavities or who have deep grooves in their back teeth that have not yet developed cavities are excellent candidates too. If you are not sure whether sealants are right for you or your child, just ask at your next visit and we will take a look and give you an honest answer.

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If you are looking for dental sealants in Austin or Round Rock TX, we would love to help. Book online or give your nearest Forest Family Dentistry location a call and we will take great care of you.