What Are Dental Sealants?
A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating painted onto the biting and chewing surface of your teeth. Sealants help prevent tooth decay caused by normal wear and tear, as well as bacteria.
Made of plastic or other dental materials, sealants typically provide protection from cavities for many years after application. You can expect 80% to 100% protection against cavities for about two years, which reduces to about 50% over the following two years. They can be reapplied to ensure your teeth are protected.
What’s the Difference Between Sealants and Fillings?
While sealants are a preventive measure to help avoid cavities, fillings are a restorative treatment to repair damage from tooth decay. As the names imply, sealants “seal” the healthy tooth, while fillings “fill” the decayed area. The treatments have some similarities in that they both coat the teeth and can be done in less than 30 minutes.
How Much Do Sealants Cost?
Dental sealants cost about $30 to $60 per tooth, though this price can be higher or lower depending on a number of factors. Your geographic location, the expertise and training of your dentist, dental insurance coverage, and other circumstances affect how much you will pay for sealants.
Talk to your dentist to see how much your treatment will cost you. Be sure to ask about financing options to ensure that your treatment is affordable. Prevention is always the less costly option, especially when it comes to dental care.
Where Should You Go for Dental Sealants in Southern Maryland?
Here at the practice of Dr. Joseph T. Luke, DDS, MS, our skilled dentists offer sealants and other preventive treatments to help maintain your beautiful smile! Contact us today at 301-475-8100 in Leonardtown or 410-326-6466 in Lusby, and let us give you something to smile about with our compassionate, gentle dental care.