- Address
- 26 North Park Boulevard
- Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
- Get Directions
- Phone
- (630) 858-8800
- SmileGlenEllyn@gmail.com
Preventing cavities is always better than treating them, and dental sealants are one of the most effective ways to protect your family’s teeth from decay. At Smile Glen Ellyn, our preventive dentist in Glen Ellyn provides high-quality dental sealants that create a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and food particles that can lead to cavities. This simple, painless procedure is particularly beneficial for children and teens, but adults with deep grooves in their molars can also benefit significantly from this preventive treatment.
Our dental sealant service is designed to provide families throughout Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, and the surrounding DuPage County communities with an affordable, effective way to maintain excellent oral health. Call our dental practice near you at (630) 858-8800 to schedule your dental appointment. We proudly serve Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, and the surrounding DuPage County areas
Sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth to prevent decay. Molars have irregular chewing surfaces with pits and grooves, which tend to trap food and bacterial debris. Sealants flow into these areas to fill them in, thus preventing bacteria and decay from destroying the enamel and exposing the soft, easily damaged dentin. They are often used even by people who brush scrupulously, since deep molar fissures are frequently beyond the reach of toothbrush bristles.
Some indications that you might benefit from the use of dental sealants on your molars include, but are not limited to:
It is also thought prudent to apply sealants to the permanent molars of children after they come in, due to the high number of childhood cavities. Shielding the molars through this crucial period often leads to greatly improved molar health and solidity later in life.
At Smile Glen Ellyn, we understand that preventing dental problems is always preferable to treating them after they occur. Our commitment to preventive care drives us to provide the highest quality dental sealants using proven materials and techniques that deliver lasting protection. We take the time to thoroughly clean and prepare each tooth before sealant application, ensuring optimal bonding and longevity.
Our gentle approach makes the experience comfortable for patients of all ages, and our focus on patient education helps families understand how to maintain their sealants for maximum effectiveness. When you choose us for dental sealants, you’re choosing a practice that genuinely cares about helping your family maintain healthy smiles for life.
Applying sealants requires no drilling or removal of the original tooth surface. First, the tooth is dabbed with a mildly acidic solution, which is no stronger than vinegar or lemon juice. This roughens the tooth surface slightly, allowing the sealant to form a strong bond by “gripping” the enamel firmly.
The sealant is painted onto the tooth, flowing into all exposed pits, grooves, and folds. After 60 seconds, the sealant has hardened and now protects the tooth from bacteria and decay. Certain sealants make use of a curing light to dry them faster, though many dry on their own in around a minute. The resulting coating is nearly invisible except under very close inspection – and who is likely to be examining your molars except for your dentist?
An original sealant will frequently last for around 5 years. The sealed teeth are checked every time you come in for a tooth cleaning or other dental checkup, so that wear, chipping, and cracking can be detected quickly and dealt with. Once the sealant starts to show signs of wearing off, it is reapplied in exactly the same way. Since teeth are most susceptible to decay when a person is young, preventing cavities in the molars during the first to fifteenth years after a tooth erupts is critical.
The ideal time to apply dental sealants is as soon as the permanent molars come in, which typically occurs around age 6 for the first molars and age 12 for the second molars. However, children as young as 3 can benefit from sealants on their primary molars if they have deep grooves. The earlier sealants are applied, the more protection they provide during the cavity-prone years. Adults can also get sealants if they have deep grooves and are at risk for decay.
The dental sealant application is completely painless and requires no drilling, shots, or removal of tooth structure. The process typically takes just a few minutes per tooth. We clean the tooth, apply a mild acidic solution to help the sealant bond, rinse and dry the tooth, then paint on the sealant material. The sealant hardens in about 60 seconds, and you’re done! Most patients, especially children, are pleasantly surprised by how quick and comfortable the procedure is.
Quality dental sealants typically last five to 10 years with proper care, though they can sometimes last even longer. During your regular dental checkups at our Glen Ellyn office, we’ll examine your sealants for signs of wear, chipping, or loss. If a sealant becomes damaged or wears away, we can easily reapply it using the same simple process. The key is catching any issues early during your routine visits.
Most dental insurance plans cover sealants for children up to age 18, typically covering 80-100% of the cost since they’re considered a preventive treatment. Coverage for adult sealants varies by plan. Our team at Smile Glen Ellyn will work with your insurance provider to maximize your benefits and help you understand your coverage. We’ll also discuss affordable payment options if you don’t have insurance or if your plan doesn’t cover the full cost.
Don’t wait for cavities to develop when you can prevent them with professional dental sealants. At Smile Glen Ellyn, we make it easy for families throughout Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, and the greater DuPage County area to access this proven preventive treatment. Our experienced team takes pride in providing gentle, thorough care that helps patients of all ages maintain healthy, beautiful smiles for life.
Ready to protect your family’s smiles with dental sealants? Call us today at (630) 858-8800 to schedule your consultation with our preventive dentist in Glen Ellyn. We’ll evaluate your teeth, discuss whether dental sealants are right for you or your children, and explain how this simple procedure can save you time, money, and discomfort in the future. We’re conveniently located to serve patients from Wheaton, Lombard, and throughout western DuPage County, and we’re committed to making preventive dental care accessible and affordable for every family in our community.
We’ve filled our website with information about our doctors, our team, and our services including family dentistry we offer, location, maps and business hours. Please feel free to take a look around to learn more about what we do and how we can help keep your smile healthy and stunning for a lifetime. We want you to feel confident that when you choose us, you’re choosing to receive the best dental care available.