Dental Sealants in Yakima, WA
Powerful Cavity Prevention for Kids & Teens
At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Ryan Kezele uses dental sealants to protect children's teeth from cavities. This simple, painless procedure dramatically reduces the risk of decay in permanent molars during critical growth years.
Our Goal: Minimal Dental Treatment
Our goal is for our patients to experience the least amount of dental treatment possible. And we know that children who enter adulthood with the fewest restored teeth will enjoy the lowest risk of future problems in Yakima.
Sealants give us a tool that can dramatically reduce the number of fillings placed in permanent teeth during critical stages of growth and development.
Why Molars Are Vulnerable to Cavities
On the chewing surface of molars, deep grooves reach into the center of the teeth. Under a microscope, these crevices might look like a deep canyon. In fact, most of them are narrower than a single toothbrush bristle but wide enough for bacteria to hide.
It's easy to see how cavities can form in such a perfect hideout. Even with diligent brushing, toothbrush bristles cannot reach deep enough into these grooves to remove trapped bacteria and food particles at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
How Dental Sealants Work
If the grooves in permanent molars are sealed at a young age, the risk of decay occurring on the chewing surfaces decreases dramatically. Sealants create a smooth, protective barrier that prevents bacteria and food from getting trapped in the deep grooves.
Think of sealants as a raincoat for your child's teeth – they shield vulnerable areas from the elements that cause decay.
The Sealant Procedure: Quick, Easy, Painless
Fortunately, this procedure can be done quickly and without any discomfort at Yakima Healthy Smiles. If the grooves are free of cavities, they can be gently cleaned out and conditioned for bonding.
- Step 1: The tooth is thoroughly cleaned and dried
- Step 2: The chewing surface is conditioned to help the sealant bond
- Step 3: A liquid resin material is flowed into the grooves
- Step 4: A blue activating light quickly hardens the sealant
- Step 5: The bite is checked and adjusted if needed
Total time: Just a few minutes per tooth. No drilling, no shots, no pain!
When Should Children Get Sealants?
At Yakima Healthy Smiles, we typically recommend sealants when permanent molars erupt:
- Around age 6: First permanent molars (six-year molars) come in
- Around age 12: Second permanent molars (twelve-year molars) erupt
Sealing these teeth as soon as they fully erupt provides maximum protection during the cavity-prone years of childhood and adolescence.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants only last a few years and may need to be repaired or replaced periodically. However, this is a small investment compared to the cost and discomfort of treating cavities.
At each checkup, Dr. Kezele examines your child's sealants and repairs or replaces them as needed to maintain continuous protection throughout childhood and into the teen years in Yakima.
The Research-Backed Benefits
But research confirms a 90% reduction in chewing surface cavity activity in sealed molars. This cost-effective, simple step may help your child enter adulthood with fewer fillings and less risk of major dentistry in the future.
Studies consistently show that sealants are one of the most effective preventive treatments in dentistry. Children with sealed molars have significantly fewer cavities than those without sealants.
Who Benefits from Sealants?
While sealants are most commonly placed on children's permanent molars, they can benefit:
- Children and teens with newly erupted permanent molars
- Adults with deep grooves who haven't had cavities in those teeth
- Patients with high cavity risk
- Anyone who wants extra protection against decay
Sealants + Good Home Care = Healthy Teeth
While sealants provide excellent protection for chewing surfaces, they don't replace good oral hygiene. Children still need to:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to clean between teeth
- Eat a balanced diet low in sugar
- Visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings
Think of sealants as one powerful tool in a complete cavity-prevention strategy at Yakima Healthy Smiles.
Invest in Prevention, Save on Treatment
The cost of sealants is far less than the cost of treating cavities. One sealant can prevent multiple fillings over the years, saving your family:
- Money on dental treatment
- Time spent in the dental chair
- Discomfort from drilling and shots
- Long-term complications from dental work
Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children, recognizing their value in preventing more expensive treatment later. Even without insurance, sealants are one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your child's oral health in Yakima.
Dental Sealants FAQs - Yakima Healthy Smiles
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent cavities. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Kezele uses sealants to fill deep grooves where bacteria hide, creating a smooth, protective barrier that dramatically reduces cavity risk.
How effective are dental sealants?
Research confirms a 90% reduction in chewing surface cavity activity in sealed molars. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, sealants are one of the most effective preventive treatments we offer, helping children enter adulthood with fewer fillings and less risk of major dental work.
Does getting sealants hurt?
No! Sealant application is completely painless and requires no drilling or numbing. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, the procedure takes just a few minutes per tooth. Dr. Kezele cleans the grooves, applies the sealant material, and hardens it with a special light.
At what age should children get sealants?
At Yakima Healthy Smiles, we typically apply sealants when permanent molars erupt, around ages 6 and 12. The first permanent molars come in around age 6, and second permanent molars around age 12. Sealing them early provides maximum protection during cavity-prone years.
How long do dental sealants last?
Sealants typically last several years but may need repair or replacement over time. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, Dr. Kezele checks sealants at every checkup and repairs them as needed to maintain protection throughout childhood and adolescence.
Are dental sealants covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children, typically until age 14-18. At Yakima Healthy Smiles, we work with your insurance to maximize benefits. Even without insurance, sealants are a cost-effective investment that can save hundreds in future dental work.