Fluoride Treatment
A few minutes of in-office fluoride to help toughen enamel against new cavities.
About fluoride treatmentPreventive care
Dental sealants in Lehi
Molars have tiny valleys that toothbrush bristles can't fully reach, even in a careful brusher. A sealant fills those valleys so food and germs have less room to settle.
What are dental sealants?
A sealant is a clear or tooth-colored layer brushed onto the tops of molars and premolars. It fills the small pits and grooves where bits of food and bacteria like to collect. With those spots covered, cavities there become less likely.
- No numbing shot and no drill
- Only a few minutes per tooth
- Often holds up for years with regular checks
Who sealants can help
Kids and teens are the most common candidates. Sealants go on soon after the permanent molars erupt, around age 6 for the first set and about age 12 for the second. Those are the years when back teeth face the most risk of decay.
Grown-ups can have them as well. Ask about sealants if you:
- Have molars or premolars with deep grooves
- Have back teeth that are still free of fillings and decay
- Tend to get new cavities
- Have braces that make it tough to clean well
A sealant can only cover a healthy surface. If decay has already started in a groove, a filling is the better choice.
What to expect
- Check and clean. We clean the tooth and look closely at the grooves to make sure there is no decay.
- Prime. A mild solution goes on the chewing surface so the sealant will bond. We rinse it away and dry the tooth.
- Brush on. The sealant flows into the grooves as a thin liquid.
- Harden. A small curing light sets it in seconds. Then your dentist checks how your teeth meet and smooths any spot that feels high.
Your child can eat and drink like normal as soon as you leave. For most kids, the toughest part is holding their mouth open for a few minutes.
Caring for sealants
Nothing about brushing or flossing changes. Hard things like ice cubes, jawbreakers and pen caps can chip a sealant, so steer clear of chewing them. At every checkup your dentist looks at each sealant and can patch any area that has worn thin. Daily care and fluoride help sealants do their job.
Cost and insurance
Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.
FAQ
Questions about dental sealants
Will sealants wear off?
They can slowly wear or chip, though many hold up for several years. Your dentist checks them at each visit and adds more when needed.
Is getting a sealant uncomfortable?
Most kids find it easy. There is no shot and no drilling. The tooth is cleaned, coated and hardened with a light.
I'm an adult. Is it too late for sealants?
Not always. Healthy back teeth with deep grooves and no fillings may still be good candidates.
Do sealants replace brushing?
No. They only cover the tops of back teeth. The sides and the gaps between teeth still need brushing and flossing every day.
Are sealants covered by dental plans?
Many plans pay for sealants on children, often up to a set age. We can look into your benefits before the visit.
Related care
You may also want to know about
Dental Fillings
Patch a cavity, chip or small hole now, so the tooth keeps doing its job.
About dental fillingsPreventive and Oral Health Care
Checkups, X-rays and daily habits that help protect your teeth for years to come.
About preventive and oral health careQuestions?
Call to book your visit
Our Lehi team will answer your questions and find a time that works for you.