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Sealants

A thin protective coating for the chewing surfaces of molars.

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Overview
Details
How it works
How long

A Coating That Guards the Back Teeth

A sealant is a thin coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where grooves trap food and most childhood cavities start. Placing one takes a few minutes per tooth, with no drilling and no numbing.

  • Quick: each tooth takes a few minutes.
  • Comfortable: no shots and no drilling.
  • Checked at every visit: the dentist looks at each sealant during checkups.
Read more

Sealants usually go on the first permanent molars around age six and the second molars around age twelve. Some baby molars with deep grooves benefit too.

Dentist checking a child's back teeth with a mirror
Girl looking at her smile in a dental mirror

Which Teeth Get Sealants

Permanent molars are the usual target, placed soon after they come in. The dentist will point out which teeth have grooves deep enough to seal.

How a Sealant Goes On

Placing a sealant takes a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is cleaned and dried, a thin liquid coating is painted into the grooves, and a light sets it hard. Nothing is drilled and nothing needs to be numbed.

  • Clean and dry: the chewing surface is cleaned and kept dry.
  • Paint on: the coating flows into the deep grooves where brushes cannot reach.
  • Set with light: a curing light hardens the sealant in seconds.
Read more

Your child can eat normally right after the appointment. The sealant may feel slightly smooth or different for a day as the bite settles.

Keeping Sealants in Good Shape

Sealants can last several years, and the dentist checks every one at each six-month visit. If a sealant wears thin or chips, it can be touched up quickly in the same appointment.

  • Checked every visit: wear is caught early.
  • Repaired quickly: a worn sealant is topped up with no drilling.
  • Not a substitute: brushing and flossing still matter for every tooth surface.

FAQ

Sealants Questions

Straight answers from a pediatric specialist.

(757) 471-2900
Are sealants covered by insurance?

Many dental plans cover sealants on permanent molars. Our team checks your plan and tells you before the appointment.

Are sealants only for young children?

No. Teens benefit too, especially when the second molars come in around age twelve. The dentist recommends sealants tooth by tooth.

Can a sealed tooth still get a cavity?

Sealants lower the risk on the chewing surface. Brushing, flossing and checkups still protect the rest of the tooth.

Town CenterRed MillNorfolkChesapeakeHamptonSuffolkTown CenterRed MillNorfolkChesapeakeHamptonSuffolk
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What Parents Say

Tracy R.
This was my children’s first time with this dentist and we had an amazing experience. The staff and doctors were so nice. Thank you so much for our awesome visit!
Diana S.
Dr Vera is awesome and the staff are super friendly and helpful!
Taisha E.
I believe Mia assisted us and she was wonderful with both our kids (2 and 1). My son especially loved his experience with this dentist office.
Quin'Dashia J.
Christine(not sure I spelt it correct lol)was a great person ! She made sure I was good throughout the whole procedure…. Keep up the good work thank you !
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Close to Home Across Hampton Roads, VA

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ICON Pediatric Dentistry Town Center office

ICON Pediatric Dentistry Town Center

142 Independence Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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ICON Pediatric Dentistry Red Mill office

ICON Pediatric Dentistry Red Mill

2033 Fisher Arch #100
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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ICON Pediatric Dentistry Norfolk office

ICON Pediatric Dentistry Norfolk

155 Kingsley Ln #250
Norfolk, VA 23505

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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ICON Pediatric Dentistry Chesapeake office

ICON Pediatric Dentistry Chesapeake

237 Hanbury Rd E #30
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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ICON Pediatric Dentistry Hampton office

ICON Pediatric Dentistry Hampton

2148 W Mercury Blvd
Hampton, VA 23666

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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ICON Pediatric Dentistry Suffolk office

ICON Pediatric Dentistry Suffolk

3907 Bridge Rd Ste 100
Suffolk, VA 23435

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Town Center

142 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Red Mill

2033 Fisher Arch #100, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Norfolk

155 Kingsley Ln #250, Norfolk, VA 23505

Chesapeake

237 Hanbury Rd E #30, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Hampton

2148 W Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23666

Suffolk

3907 Bridge Rd Ste 100, Suffolk, VA 23435

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