What Are Sealants?
Dentist Grants Pass
Sealants are a protective dental treatment designed to reduce the risk of cavities, especially in the back teeth where decay most commonly develops. This preventive measure involves applying a thin, BPA-free resin coating to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. These surfaces have deep grooves and pits that can be hard to clean thoroughly, even with regular brushing. By sealing these areas, the treatment creates a smooth surface that keeps food particles and bacteria from accumulating and causing decay.
Sealants are most often recommended for children shortly after their permanent molars erupt, but they can also benefit teens and adults who are prone to cavities. The application process is painless, fast, and non-invasive, no drilling or numbing is required. Once applied, sealants can protect teeth for several years with proper care and regular dental checkups. At Spendlove Dental, sealants are part of a broader preventive strategy to support long-term oral health. This simple solution is an effective, proactive step toward maintaining cavity-free smiles and minimizing the need for future restorative dental work.
Why Trust Dr. Niklaus Spendlove?
Dentist Grants Pass
Dr. Niklaus Spendlove brings a thoughtful, prevention-focused philosophy to every patient interaction, making him a trusted provider of dental sealants for children, teens, and adults. He takes time to evaluate each patient’s risk for cavities, identify the right timing for sealant application, and explain the benefits clearly and thoroughly. Dr. Spendlove uses only trusted, high-quality materials and applies sealants with precision to ensure long-lasting coverage and protection for vulnerable areas of the teeth.
Families choose Spendlove Dental because of Dr. Spendlove’s attention to detail and dedication to preventive care. He emphasizes patient education and involves parents in every decision about their child’s oral health. Dr. Spendlove’s gentle chairside manner makes young patients feel comfortable, helping establish positive dental habits early on. For adults with deep grooves or previous decay, he may recommend sealants as an added layer of protection against future problems. His commitment to individualized care ensures each patient receives the best possible outcome. With a focus on prevention and comfort, Dr. Spendlove is your partner in protecting and preserving healthy smiles for years to come.
Benefits of Sealants
Dentist Grants Pass
Prevents Tooth Decay
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps reduce the risk of cavities in both children and adults by increasing resistance to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars, supporting long-term oral health.
Enhances Re-mineralization
This treatment promotes the repair of early-stage tooth decay by encouraging the re-mineralization of enamel, helping to stop the progression of damage and preserve natural tooth structure.
Combats Acid Erosion
Fluoride protects against enamel breakdown caused by acidic foods, beverages, and plaque, helping maintain strong, healthy teeth and reducing the likelihood of future sensitivity or decay.
What Our Patients Have to Say
CDC Findings About Dental Sealant Protection and Use
Cavities prevented during the first two years
80
Increase in sealant use among children from lower-income households
75
Continued cavity protection for up to four years
50
Adolescents with sealants on permanent teeth
48
Children ages 6 through 11 with sealants
42
Sealant use among children from lower-income households
39
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| Dental Sealant Finding | Percentage | What the Percentage Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Cavity prevention over two years | 80% | The CDC reports that sealants prevent 80% of cavities in back teeth during the first two years after placement. |
| Increased sealant use | 75% | Sealant use among children ages 6 through 11 from lower-income households increased by approximately 75% between the 1999–2004 and 2011–2016 reporting periods. |
| Continued protection | 50% | The CDC reports that sealants continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to four years after placement. |
| Sealant use among adolescents | 48% | Approximately 48% of adolescents ages 12 through 19 had sealants on their permanent teeth. |
| Sealant use among children | 42% | Approximately 42% of children ages 6 through 11 had sealants on their permanent teeth. |
| Sealant use among lower-income children | 39% | Sealant use among children ages 6 through 11 from lower-income households reached 39% during 2011–2016. |
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Dental Sealant Facts.” May 15, 2024. CDC publication | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Dental Sealants.” May 15, 2024. CDC publication | Griffin SO, Wei L, Gooch BF, Weno K, Espinoza L. “Vital Signs: Dental Sealant Use and Untreated Tooth Decay Among U.S. School-Aged Children.” CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2016. CDC publication
What Grants Pass Patients Should Know About Dental Sealants
Sealants protect the grooves of back teeth.
They are primarily placed on chewing surfaces where narrow pits and fissures can retain food and bacteria.
Sealants are preventive rather than restorative.
They help reduce the risk of future decay but do not rebuild tooth structure already lost to a cavity.
Timing can affect the preventive benefit.
Applying sealants soon after permanent molars erupt can protect the teeth during cavity-prone childhood and adolescent years.
Adults may also qualify for sealants.
Age alone does not determine candidacy, so Dr. Spendlove evaluates the tooth’s anatomy, current condition, restorations, and cavity risk.
Sealants require continued monitoring.
The material can wear or chip over time, making periodic dental examinations important for identifying areas that may need repair or replacement.
Daily oral hygiene remains necessary.
Sealants protect only the covered chewing surfaces and do not prevent cavities between teeth, near the gumline, or on unsealed surfaces.
Read Our 5-Star Reviews
Dentist Grants Pass
“Sealants provide an added layer of protection for teeth with grooves that are difficult to keep clean. I evaluate each tooth individually and recommend sealing it only when the treatment can meaningfully reduce that patient’s risk of decay.”
Dr. Niklaus Spendlove
Questions Grants Pass Dental Patients Ask
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the pits and grooves of back teeth. They create a barrier that helps keep food particles and cavity-causing bacteria out of areas that are difficult to clean.
Are dental sealants only for children?
No. Sealants are most frequently recommended for children and teenagers after permanent molars erupt, but certain adults with deep grooves and cavity-prone back teeth may also benefit.
Does applying a dental sealant hurt?
Sealant application is generally painless and usually does not require drilling or anesthesia. The tooth is cleaned and dried before the material is applied and hardened.
Can a tooth with a cavity receive a sealant?
A tooth must be evaluated before it is sealed. Sealants are primarily preventive, and a tooth with established decay may require a filling or another treatment instead.
How long do dental sealants last?
Sealants can remain protective for several years, but their condition varies according to the material, tooth, bite forces, and oral habits. Dr. Spendlove checks them during routine dental examinations and may recommend repair or replacement if wear is present.
Can patients stop brushing after receiving sealants?
No. Sealants protect only specific chewing surfaces. Patients still need to brush, floss, use fluoride as recommended, and receive professional dental care to protect the remaining tooth surfaces and gums.