Dental Sealants in Barrie, ON
Dental sealants at Georgian Dental are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent cavities. At our Barrie dental office, our team places sealants for children and adults as part of preventive care. We accept Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) benefits.
What Are Dental Sealants?
At Georgian Dental, a dental sealant is a resin-based coating bonded to the deep grooves and pits of molars and premolars. Those back-tooth grooves are where cavities most often start because the spaces are often too narrow for toothbrush bristles to reach. A sealant fills those grooves and acts as a physical barrier that keeps food particles, plaque, and acid away from the enamel underneath.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Canadian Dental Association, sealants meaningfully reduce the risk of decay on permanent molars in the years after placement. We apply sealants most often for children as their permanent molars come in, but adults whose back teeth are still cavity-free on the chewing surface are also candidates.
Is a Dental Sealant Right for You?
Good candidates for sealants typically have:
Sealants may not be appropriate if:
A quick exam at our Barrie office confirms which teeth are candidates.
When Are Sealants Typically Placed?
We time sealant placement soon after permanent molars erupt, before plaque has a chance to build up in the grooves. The common schedule looks like:
Your Dental Sealant Team
At Georgian Dental, our dental team places sealants for children and adults at our Barrie office as part of preventive and children’s dentistryThis link leads to Childrens’ Dentistry page care. Because sealants are a preventive treatment rather than a restoration, application is quick and non-invasive — no drilling, no numbing, and no recovery time needed.
When a child’s first permanent molars have recently come in, we often place sealants at a regular checkup so your family doesn’t need a separate appointment. Learn more about our dentists at our Barrie officeThis link leads to Professionals’ page.
The Dental Sealant Process
At Georgian Dental in Barrie, placing a sealant takes only a few minutes per tooth. The procedure doesn’t involve drilling or numbing:
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Cleaning
We clean the tooth surface thoroughly to remove plaque and debris from the grooves.
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Preparation
We apply a mild etching solution to the chewing surface so the sealant bonds properly, then rinse and dry the tooth.
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Sealant application
We paint the liquid sealant onto the pits and grooves of the tooth. It flows into areas a toothbrush cannot reach on its own.
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Curing
A special light hardens the sealant into a durable protective layer in about twenty to thirty seconds per tooth.
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Bite check
We check that the sealant sits comfortably against the opposing teeth and make small adjustments if needed.
Most patients have several teeth sealed in a single visit. Normal eating and drinking resume right away.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Sealants work alongside brushing, flossing, and fluoride. They add a protective layer but don’t replace daily care.
Why Choose Georgian Dental for Dental Sealants
Families choose Georgian Dental for sealants for a few practical reasons:
Our priority is real protection for the teeth that need it.
Dental Sealant Cost and CDCP Coverage
Dental sealant cost at Georgian Dental depends on a few variables we review at your visit:
Sealants are among the more affordable preventive procedures in dentistry, and they’re typically covered as a preventive service by most Canadian dental insurance plans and by CDCP for eligible patients. We provide a written cost breakdown before placement so you know what to expect.
For families planning for multiple children’s sealants, we review coverage and timing with you at the visit so you know what’s covered before anything is placed.
How long do dental sealants last?
A well-placed sealant typically holds up for several years — commonly five to ten — before it needs to be checked or touched up. At every routine checkup, we inspect existing sealants and reapply them if any have worn or chipped. Keeping up with six-month cleanings is the easiest way to catch a sealant that needs renewal before a cavity has a chance to start underneath.
Do dental sealants hurt to put on?
Sealant placement doesn’t involve drilling or numbing. We clean the tooth, apply a brief etching step, paint on the liquid sealant, and harden it with a curing light. Most children tolerate it well, including kids who are new to the dentist or who have found other dental procedures stressful in the past.
Can sealants be placed on teeth that already have cavities?
Sealants are a preventive treatment for healthy chewing surfaces, so they cannot be placed over an active cavity. If decay is already present, we discuss dental fillingsThis link leads to Dental Fillings page or other restorative options before sealing nearby healthy teeth. An exam confirms which teeth are good candidates for sealants and which may need treatment first.
Are dental sealants safe for children?
The sealant materials used in dentistry are dental-grade and have been studied extensively over decades. The American Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Association both endorse sealants as a proven, low-risk preventive procedure for children and adults. If you have specific questions about the materials we use, we’re happy to walk through them with you before anything is placed.
Does CDCP cover dental sealants?
CDCP generally covers preventive services like dental sealants for eligible children, youth, and adults, subject to the program’s fee guide and coverage rules. Coverage can depend on age, income tier, and whether the tooth qualifies as a preventive candidate. We verify your specific coverage and walk you through any out-of-pocket costs before the appointment starts.
What happens if a sealant falls off?
Sealants occasionally chip, wear down, or come loose after years of normal chewing. If you or your child notices that a sealant seems to have come off, call our office and we’ll arrange a quick check. Reapplication is usually straightforward and is often covered by insurance or CDCP when the tooth still qualifies as a preventive candidate.
When should my child get their first sealants?
Most children are ready for their first sealants as soon as the first permanent molars fully erupt, which commonly happens around age six. Second permanent molars typically come in around age twelve and are sealed soon after. Sealing a tooth soon after eruption — before plaque has settled into the grooves — gives the best protection over the years that follow.
Can adults get dental sealants?
Adults whose back teeth have no cavities and no fillings on the chewing surface are candidates for sealants, particularly if those teeth have deep grooves that are hard to keep clean. We check for this during routine exams and recommend sealants when they’ll add meaningful protection to a surface that’s difficult to brush effectively on your own.
