What Are Dental Sealants?

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Dental Sealants: Friend or Foe
Looking for a fool-proof way to prevent cavities? Then sealants are a clear dental best buy!Despite how vigorously you brush your molars or how often you rinse with fluoride treatment, it is almost inevitable that plaque will build up in the deep grooves on the top of your large molars, leading to dental decay.

A dental sealant is a thin plastic layer that is painted on the top of your tooth and prevents plaque from building up and eating away at the tooth's enamel. A sealant is pretty inexpensive and any dentist can apply it, but, despite their obvious benefits, only 20% of Americans currently use sealants!

If you want a fool-proof way to prevent most cavities from forming, ask your dentist about dental sealants the next time you the visit the dentist. Depending upon your dental coverage, they should cost anywhere from $10 to $35 per tooth, while if you're paying private and/or don't have a dental plan, expect to pay $50 to $75 per tooth.