- ICON Pediatric Dentistry
Sealants
A thin protective coating for the chewing surfaces of molars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
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
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
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
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
3907 Bridge Rd Ste 100
Suffolk, VA 23435
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
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