Dental Sealants in Chicago & Bourbonnais, IL
Dental Sealants is available at these locations:
Few preventive treatments are as quick, painless, and effective as dental sealants. Dr. Raffi applies tooth-colored sealants to the deep grooves of the back teeth, the very spots where more than 50% of childhood cavities take hold, forming a smooth barrier that shuts out food and bacteria. For children especially, sealants rank among dentistry's most valuable preventive tools, and they are a cornerstone of the preventive care we provide at Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry.
What it is
A sealant is a thin coating of tooth-colored plastic, applied with a brush to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, the molars and premolars. It fills the deep grooves there and hardens to guard against decay.
Who it's for
Mostly children, with sealants placed as soon as the permanent molars come in (around age 6 and again around age 12). Adults who have deep grooves or a high cavity risk can benefit too.
How we help
A quick, painless application with no drilling and no anesthesia. Our tooth-colored sealants are barely noticeable and, with proper care, can guard teeth for many years.
Sealants stop cavities before they ever start. Protect your child's permanent teeth as soon as they come in.
Why Sealants Are So Effective
- Over 50% of cavities in children occur in the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of molars
- The deep grooves make a perfect trap for food and bacteria, and they are often too narrow for toothbrush bristles to clean
- Pits and fissures are more vulnerable to decay because the enamel there is frequently thinner and weaker
- Once sealants fill the grooves, the tooth has a smooth, sealed surface that is easy to clean and resists bacteria
- Applying sealants early is very important, because a sealant cannot go on a tooth where decay has already formed
How Sealants Are Applied
- Cleaning first: We thoroughly clean away plaque and food particles from each tooth
- Keeping dry: Each tooth is dried and isolated to keep all moisture away
- Preparing the surface: Roughening it with a mild solution lets the sealant bond effectively
- Wash and dry: A second round of rinsing and drying follows
- Painting it on: Applied with a tiny brush, the liquid sealant flows deep into every pit and fissure
- Light curing: A special light hardens the sealant, and the whole process takes just minutes per tooth
Timing and Care
When Should Sealants Be Applied?
- First permanent molars (age ~6): The moment these molars break through, sealants should go on, because they sit behind the baby teeth and are especially vulnerable
- Second permanent molars (age ~12): Sealant protection has another critical window here
- Premolars: Depending on how deep their grooves are, these may benefit too
- Baby teeth: If the grooves are deep and the child's cavity risk is high, these are occasionally sealed
- Because timing is key to maximum protection, Dr. Raffi examines each tooth carefully before recommending a sealant
How Long Do Sealants Last?
- With proper care, sealants can protect teeth for many years
- Worn or chipped sealants can be reapplied, and Dr. Raffi checks them at every regular visit
- Hard candy and ice can crack sealants, so steer clear of hard foods
- Sticky foods like taffy, caramel, and gummy candy can pull sealants off, so avoid them
- Sealants guard the chewing surface, but the spaces between teeth and along the gum line can't do without brushing and flossing
Teeth are best sealed before any decay begins. Ask about sealants at your child's next visit.
What to Expect
At Your Visit
- With no drilling, shots, or anesthesia involved, sealant application is completely painless
- Only a few minutes are needed for each tooth
- It often helps children to be told the sealant is 'painted' on, where it protects their teeth
- We can often place sealants during a regular cleaning appointment
- There's no recovery time; your child can eat and drink normally right away
Tips to Prevent Cavities
- Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for two full minutes, at least twice a day
- Since decay can start even with healthy snacks like raisins and dried fruit left on teeth, avoid sugary and sticky foods
- Fewer snacks between meals mean less exposure to acid
- Drinking plenty of water washes food away and keeps saliva flowing
- See Dr. Raffi at least twice a year; problems caught early stay small
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dental sealants have been used safely for decades and are strongly recommended by both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
Concerns occasionally come up about BPA, but the amount of exposure from a sealant is extremely small, far less than what you encounter every day from food containers, receipts, and countless other sources. For the vast majority of children and adults, the protection a sealant provides far outweighs that minimal exposure.
Yes. Sealants are most often placed on children's teeth, but adults can benefit too, particularly those whose molars are still cavity-free. Good adult candidates include people who have:
- Deep grooves and pits in their back teeth
- A high cavity risk or a history of frequent decay
- Molars with no existing fillings to protect
Dr. Raffi can check whether sealants make sense for you during a regular visit.
No. A sealant guards only the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which is where it does the most good. It cannot protect the areas it does not cover.
Cavities can still form between teeth, along the gum line, and on smooth surfaces, so brushing twice daily and flossing every night remain essential. Think of sealants as one important layer of defense that works alongside good daily hygiene, not as a replacement for it.
Dr. Raffi checks sealants at every regular visit. If one is worn, chipped, or missing, the tooth underneath is examined to confirm it is still cavity-free, and a fresh sealant is applied as needed.
If you or your child notices that a sealant has come off between appointments, give our office a call. Replacing it promptly keeps that chewing surface protected without a gap in coverage.
No. Once decay has taken hold, the tooth needs a filling or another restoration rather than a sealant, since sealing over a cavity would only trap the decay underneath.
Sealants are strictly preventive, which is why they have to go on before a cavity develops. That timing is exactly why Dr. Raffi recommends placing them soon after the permanent molars erupt.
Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children, usually for the permanent molars up to somewhere around age 14 to 18. Because coverage varies from plan to plan, we verify your benefits and let you know what to expect before treatment.
Even without insurance, sealants are very affordable, and at our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices they cost far less than treating the cavities they help prevent. Preventing a problem is almost always easier on your budget than repairing one.
Give your child's teeth the best protection. Book their sealant appointment today.
Related Topics
Visit Dr. Raffi General & Implant Dentistry
Chicago Office
6215 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
Bourbonnais Office
876 N Convent St
Bourbonnais, IL 60914