Services
Dental Sealants
We shield your child's molars with quick, painless sealants that help block cavities before they start.
Why choose us
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Cavity Protection Where Needed
Sealants shield the deep grooves of back teeth where cavities most often start.
Quick And Comfortable
Placing sealants takes just a few minutes and involves no drilling or shots.
Built For Kids
We treat children exclusively, so every visit is paced and explained at your child's level.
Parents Stay Close
You're welcome in the treatment room to sit with your child the whole time.
Affordable Prevention
We accept major PPO plans, Medicaid, HSA/FSA, and self-pay, with flexible financing available.
The chewing surfaces of back teeth are covered in tiny grooves and pits — some narrower than a single toothbrush bristle. That's where most childhood cavities start. A child can brush faithfully every morning and night and still miss food and plaque tucked deep inside those grooves. Sealants close off those hiding places, and they're one of the simplest, least invasive tools we have for keeping a healthy tooth healthy.
A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating painted onto the chewing surface of a back tooth. It flows into the grooves, hardens in place, and creates a smooth barrier that food and bacteria can't settle into. Nothing is drilled, nothing is removed, and no numbing is needed. For most children, it's a quick appointment with no discomfort at all.
Sealants are usually placed on permanent molars, which typically come in around ages six and twelve. Those first few years after a molar erupts are when it's most vulnerable — the enamel is still maturing, and a six-year-old's brushing technique is rarely thorough enough to reach the back of the mouth. Sealing a molar soon after it arrives protects it during exactly the window when it needs the most help. We also place sealants on baby molars when a child's grooves are especially deep or when we're seeing early signs of decay risk.
Some children need sealants more than others, and we make that call tooth by tooth during a dental exam. A child with deep, sticky grooves is a strong candidate even with excellent brushing habits. So is a child who has already had a filling, since a history of decay is one of the best predictors of future decay. Diet matters too — frequent snacking, juice, sports drinks, and sticky foods all raise risk, and sealants give those teeth a fighting chance.
We also think about the practical side of daily care. Teens with braces, children who are still building coordination, and kids with special healthcare needs often have a harder time keeping back teeth clean. We treat children with special healthcare needs as part of our everyday practice, and sealants fit naturally into a prevention plan for families where brushing is a genuine daily challenge.
The other thing worth knowing is that sealants only work on teeth that are already healthy. We check each tooth carefully with cavity detection before sealing. If we find decay, we address it first — often with a dental filling — because sealing over a cavity doesn't stop it. Parents are welcome in the treatment room throughout, and we explain what we see as we go.
What the Appointment Is Like
Placing a sealant takes only a few minutes per tooth. We clean and dry the surface, apply a conditioning gel that helps the sealant bond, rinse and dry again, then paint on the sealant and cure it with a curing light. Your child bites down so we can check the fit, and that's it. Most children go straight back to school or activities afterward.
Because there's no drilling or injection, sealants are usually an easy visit even for anxious kids. When a child does need extra support, we have options — nitrous oxide and oral sedation are available in our office, and our team includes a board-certified pediatric dentist. We often pair sealants with a dental cleaning and fluoride treatment so everything happens in one appointment.
Aftercare and How Long Sealants Last
There's no recovery period. Your child can eat and drink right away, though we suggest going easy on ice, hard candy, and sticky caramels, since those can chip or pull at a sealant over time.
Sealants wear down gradually with normal chewing, and they can occasionally chip or come loose. We check them at every routine visit and reapply as needed — a quick touch-up, not a redo of anything invasive. Sealants protect grooves, not the sides of teeth, so brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and keeping up with regular cleanings still matter just as much.
Cost, Insurance, and Getting Scheduled
Sealants are preventive care, and most dental plans cover them well for children. We accept all major PPO insurance plans and Medicaid, and we file pediatric claims as a specialist. Self-pay families are welcome too.
For families managing costs, we offer flexible financing plans, accept HSA and FSA funds, and have a $99 New Patient Special for first visits.
We see children from Easley, Greenville, and Anderson, from the first tooth through young adulthood. If your child has new molars coming in — or you're not sure whether they do — give us a call and we'll take a look.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam And Check
We examine your child's teeth to confirm the molars are healthy and ready for sealants.
- 2
Sealant Placement
We clean each tooth, apply the sealant to the chewing surface, and set it in place.
- 3
Checkups And Care
We check the sealants at routine cleanings and reapply them if they wear down.