Dental Sealants in Evanston, IL
Quick and highly effective, dental sealants protect teeth from cavities with no drilling and no anesthesia needed. At Way Dental, Dr. Andre Amarante paints tooth-colored sealants into the deep grooves of back teeth, where most childhood cavities begin, laying down a smooth, protective barrier that keeps food and bacteria out. They are a straightforward addition to brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, especially for children.
What it is
A thin, tooth-colored plastic coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars and premolars). It settles into the deep grooves and hardens into a protective shield against decay.
Who it's for
Primarily children, with sealants applied as soon as permanent molars erupt (around age 6 and again around age 12). Adults with deep grooves or high cavity risk can benefit too.
How we help
A quick application that needs no drilling or anesthesia. Our tooth-colored sealants are barely visible and can protect teeth for many years with proper care.
Sealants stop cavities before they start. Protect your child's permanent teeth as soon as they erupt.
Why Sealants Are So Effective
- Pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of molars are where most cavities in children start
- Food and bacteria collect easily in these deep grooves, and toothbrush bristles are often too wide to clean them
- Enamel in pits and fissures tends to be thinner and weaker, leaving these areas more vulnerable to decay
- By filling the grooves, sealants create a smooth, sealed surface that's easy to clean and resistant to bacteria
- A sealant can no longer be placed once decay has formed, which is why early application is so important
How Sealants Are Applied
- Clean: Each tooth is thoroughly cleaned to clear away any plaque or food particles
- Isolate: The teeth are dried and isolated to keep moisture away
- Etch: A mild solution roughens the surface so the sealant bonds effectively
- Rinse and dry: The teeth are rinsed and dried once more
- Apply: Liquid sealant is brushed into the grooves, flowing deep into every pit and fissure
- Harden: A special light cures the sealant, and the whole process takes just minutes per tooth
Timing and Care
When Should Sealants Be Applied?
- First permanent molars (age ~6): Erupting behind the baby teeth, these are especially vulnerable, so sealants should go on as soon as they come in
- Second permanent molars (age ~12): Another critical window for sealant protection
- Premolars: Can also benefit from sealants, depending on how deep their grooves run
- Baby teeth: Occasionally sealed when they have deep grooves and the child is at high risk for cavities
- Dr. Andre Amarante examines each tooth carefully before recommending a sealant, since timing is key to maximum protection
How Long Do Sealants Last?
- With proper care, sealants can protect teeth for many years
- At every regular visit, Dr. Andre Amarante checks the sealants and can reapply any that wear down or chip
- Steer clear of hard foods like ice and hard candy, which can crack sealants
- Skip sticky foods like taffy, caramel, and gummy candy, which can pull sealants off
- Sealants guard the chewing surface, so brushing and flossing are still essential between the teeth and along the gum line
Sealing teeth works best before cavities start. Ask about sealants at your child's next visit.
What to Expect
At Your Visit
- Applying a sealant is quick and involves no drilling, no shots, and no anesthesia
- The sealant is simply painted onto the tooth, with nothing sharp involved
- In many cases sealants can be applied during a regular cleaning appointment
- Your child can eat and drink normally right afterward, with no recovery time
Tips to Prevent Cavities
- Brush at least twice a day for two full minutes, using fluoride toothpaste
- Go easy on sugary and sticky foods. Even healthy snacks like raisins and dried fruit can cause decay if left on teeth
- Trim back between-meal snacking to reduce acid exposure
- Drink plenty of water, which rinses away food and keeps saliva flowing
- See Dr. Andre Amarante at least twice a year, since early detection prevents bigger problems
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dental sealants have been used safely for decades and are strongly recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) as an effective way to prevent cavities in the pits and grooves of back teeth. The sealant material bonds directly to the tooth's enamel, requires no drilling or anesthesia, and is tooth-colored so it blends in with a natural smile.
Some parents ask about BPA, since trace amounts appear in certain sealant materials. Any BPA exposure from a dental sealant is minimal, far less than what you encounter from food containers, receipts, and other daily sources. Dr. Andre Amarante uses sealant materials that meet current ADA guidelines, so this preventive step protects your child's teeth without adding any meaningful risk.
Dental sealants typically go on in two main waves, matching when a child's permanent molars come in:
- Around age 6: The first permanent molars erupt behind the baby teeth. These new molars have deep pits and grooves that are especially prone to trapping food and bacteria, so sealing them as soon as they come in gives the best head start against cavities.
- Around age 12: The second permanent molars erupt further back in the mouth, offering another important window for sealant protection.
- Premolars: These can also benefit from a sealant, depending on how deep their grooves run.
- Baby teeth: Occasionally sealed early if they have deep grooves and a child has a high cavity risk.
Dr. Andre Amarante examines each tooth as it erupts and recommends sealants at the age and stage that will protect it best.
Yes. While sealants are most often applied to children's teeth right after their permanent molars erupt, adults can benefit from sealant protection too, especially if their molars have deep grooves that have never developed a cavity or a filling.
If you have a high cavity risk, whether from a dry mouth, an active orthodontic appliance, or a history of frequent cavities, dental sealants offer a quick, straightforward way to add extra protection, with no drilling or numbing needed. Dr. Andre Amarante will check your molars during a regular exam and let you know if sealants are a good option for you.
No. Dental sealants only protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth, the pits and fissures where cavities are most likely to start. Cavities can still form between teeth, along the gum line, and on smooth tooth surfaces that a sealant does not cover.
Brushing twice daily for two full minutes and flossing every night remain essential, even after sealants are placed. Think of sealants as one more layer of protection working alongside good daily habits, not a substitute for them.
Dr. Andre Amarante checks the condition of every sealant at each regular dental visit. When one is worn, chipped, or missing, the tooth underneath is examined first to confirm it is still free of decay.
As long as no cavity has formed, a new sealant can be applied right over the tooth to restore protection. If you notice a sealant has come off between visits, especially if the tooth feels sensitive or you can feel a rough edge, contact our office so we can take a look before a cavity has a chance to develop.
No. Once decay has formed on a tooth, the damaged area needs to be treated with a filling or other restoration before any further protective steps can be taken. A sealant only works on healthy enamel, so it cannot repair or seal in a cavity that has already started.
This is exactly why timing matters so much with sealants. Applying them as soon as a permanent molar erupts, before a cavity has any chance to form, is the best way to get the full preventive benefit.
With proper care, dental sealants can protect a tooth for many years. Dr. Andre Amarante checks each sealant at your regular visits and can reapply one that has worn down, chipped, or come loose, so the protection stays intact over time.
A few habits help sealants last as long as possible:
- Avoid hard foods like ice and hard candy, which can crack a sealant
- Skip sticky foods like taffy, caramel, and gummy candy, which can pull a sealant loose
- Keep up with regular checkups so any wear is caught and repaired early
- Continue brushing and flossing daily, since sealants protect chewing surfaces but not the areas between teeth or along the gum line
For children, most dental insurance plans cover the cost of dental sealants, typically on permanent molars up to age 14–18, though exact coverage varies by plan. Before we place any sealants, our Evanston, IL office verifies your benefits and lets you know exactly what to expect, so there are no surprises.
Even without insurance, dental sealants are a modest cost, and we can give you an estimate once we have checked your coverage. If you have questions about your coverage or would like a cost estimate for your child's sealants, our team is happy to help before your appointment.
Give your child's teeth the best protection. Book their sealant appointment today.