Prevention

What are dental sealants and who needs them?

Reviewed by Dr. Samuel Bacon, DDS (dentist). Last reviewed November 3, 2026.

Status: Approved

Short answer: Sealants are thin protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where grooves can trap food and bacteria. NIDCR says children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as those teeth come in. The ADA says first molars usually appear around age 6 and second molars around 12, and that adults can benefit too.

How they work

The ADA says sealants cover the grooves on chewing surfaces, keeping out food and germs that cause cavities. The ADA says sealants reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars.

Who can benefit

  • Children and teens, as soon as their permanent molars come in
  • Adults too. The ADA says children and adults can benefit, though earlier is better

How they're applied

The ADA describes a quick, painless process:

  1. The tooth is cleaned.
  2. A mild gel is applied to roughen the surface, then rinsed off.
  3. The tooth is dried.
  4. The sealant is painted on and hardened with a special blue light.

How long they last

The ADA says sealants often last for several years. Your dentist checks them at regular visits and can reapply them if needed.

Are they safe?

The ADA says the only known side effect is a possible allergy. Sealants contain a tiny amount of BPA, which the ADA says isn't harmful.

Cost and coverage

NIDCR says some medical insurance, including Medicaid, and almost all dental insurance pay for sealants.

At Indy Smile Group

We offer sealants as part of our family care. We're in-network with Delta Dental, Anthem, Humana, Liberty Dental and CareSource. Through the Connection Dental and Zelis networks we're also in-network with many PPO plans from Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Ameritas, Principal, Sun Life, GEHA and UMR. We accept Indiana Medicaid and Medicare dental plans. Coverage depends on your plan. We check your benefits and give you a written estimate before any treatment, including emergency treatment. See our kids dentist pages for Fishers, Carmel and North Indy.

Next step

Ready to talk it through with a dentist? Book online or call the office closest to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can a sealant go over a cavity?
The ADA says sealants can be placed over early decay to keep it from getting worse.

Do sealants hurt?
No. The ADA says applying them is quick and painless.

Do sealants replace brushing?
No. Sealants protect chewing surfaces. Brushing and cleaning between teeth are still needed.

Sources

  1. ADA MouthHealthy – Sealants
  2. NIDCR (NIH) – Dental Sealants

Last reviewed: November 3, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Samuel Bacon, DDS (dentist)

← Back to all articles