Are Dental Sealants Worth It?
For most children and teenagers, yes. Sealants are thin coatings painted onto the grooved chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most cavities in children start. The CDC reports that sealants prevent about 80 percent of cavities in those teeth for two years and continue to protect against about half for up to four years. Placing them is quick and painless, and they work alongside brushing and fluoride rather than replacing them.
What are dental sealants?
Back teeth have deep pits and grooves on their chewing surfaces. Food and bacteria settle into those grooves, and a toothbrush bristle often can't reach the bottom. A sealant is a thin plastic or glass-ionomer coating that flows into the grooves and hardens, so there's nowhere for bacteria to settle.
How well do sealants work?
In 2016 the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reviewed the clinical trials and issued a joint guideline. The panel concluded that sealants on the chewing surfaces of baby and permanent molars are effective at preventing cavities compared with no sealant and compared with fluoride varnish alone. They also found sealants can slow early decay that hasn't yet formed a hole. The panel couldn't say that any one type of sealant material was better than the others.
The ADA, citing the CDC, notes that school-age children without sealants have almost three times as many cavities as children with them.
Who benefits from sealants?
Children, as soon as the first permanent molars come in, usually around age six, and again when the second molars arrive, usually around age twelve
Some baby molars, when a child has deep grooves or a higher risk of decay
Some adults with deep grooves and no fillings in those teeth, depending on their cavity risk
Your dentist will weigh the shape of the teeth, past decay and other risk factors.
How are sealants placed?
There's no drilling or numbing for a standard sealant. The dentist or hygienist cleans and dries the tooth, applies a mild gel to roughen the surface so the sealant bonds, rinses it off, paints the sealant into the grooves and hardens it with a curing light. Each tooth takes a few minutes.
How long do sealants last?
Sealants usually last several years. They can wear or chip, so they're checked at regular dental visits and repaired or replaced when needed. A sealant that has come off partway should be looked at, because food can collect under the edge.
Are sealants safe?
Yes. The ADA reports no significant side effects apart from rare allergies to the material. Sealants can also be placed over very early decay to keep it from progressing.
Does insurance cover sealants?
Coverage varies by plan. Many plans cover sealants on permanent molars for children up to a certain age. Check your benefits or ask the office before the visit.
Where can you ask about sealants in Jacksonville?
Our office is at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, near San Marco. Ask about sealants at your child's next dental visit, or at your own checkup if you have deep grooves on your back teeth. For more on protecting young children's teeth, read our parent's guide to early childhood dental problems and our article on fluoride toothpaste and Jacksonville's water. To ask a question, contact the office at 904-398-1549.
Sources
Wright JT, Crall JJ, Fontana M, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the use of pit-and-fissure sealants: a report of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016;147(8):672-682.e12. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.06.001. Retrieved via PubMed (PMID 27470525).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Dental sealant use and untreated tooth decay among U.S. school-aged children. MMWR. 2016;65(41). Retrieved 2026-10-06.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: Dental sealants prevent cavities. Archived page. Retrieved 2026-10-06.
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Sealants. Retrieved 2026-10-06.
Original reference for this post: The New York Times, The Upshot. Defending your children's teeth, and dentists: the value of sealants. September 20, 2016.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.