Dental Sealants in Orillia, ON
Dental sealants at Georgian Dental Orillia are thin protective coatings we apply to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent decay. At our Orillia office, we place sealants for children, teens, and adults with deep molar grooves. Dr. Adam Tan and Dr. Aydin Jodery lead our preventive team, and we accept CDCP benefits.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants at Georgian Dental Orillia are a preventive treatment, not a repair. The back teeth (molars and premolars) have natural pits and grooves on their chewing surfaces where food particles and bacteria collect, and where toothbrush bristles often cannot reach. A sealant is a tooth-coloured resin we paint into those grooves and harden with a curing light, creating a smooth barrier that makes the tooth easier to clean and more resistant to cavity-causing acids.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, sealants are one of the most effective tools for preventing decay on the biting surfaces of permanent back teeth, particularly in the years shortly after those teeth erupt.
Is a Sealant Right for You?
Good candidates for dental sealants typically include:
Sealants are generally not appropriate when:
A short preventive exam confirms whether the tooth is a candidate before any sealant is placed.
Your Dental Sealants Team
At Georgian Dental Orillia, we place sealants as part of your regular preventive care. Dr. Adam TanThis link leads to Dr. Tan’s page, DMD, FAGD, is the founder of the practice, and Dr. Aydin JoderyThis link leads to Dr. Jodery’s page, DMD, practices alongside him. Both treat sealants as one piece of a broader preventive plan rather than a one-off procedure.
Because sealants are often placed during routine hygiene visits, we aim to keep the experience calm and uncomplicated, especially for younger patients who may be new to dental care. We walk through each step before it happens so nobody is caught off guard.
The Dental Sealants Process
A dental sealant appointment at Georgian Dental Orillia is short and non-invasive, and we complete it in a single visit. Here is what happens at our Orillia office:
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Clean the tooth
We thoroughly clean the chewing surface of the tooth to remove plaque and debris so the sealant bonds properly.
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Condition the surface
We apply a mild etching gel for a few seconds, then rinse it off. This creates a slightly rough surface so the sealant adheres well.
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Dry and isolate
We keep the tooth dry using cotton rolls or a small isolation device so the sealant is not contaminated by saliva.
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Apply the sealant
We paint the liquid resin into the grooves with a small brush and let it settle into the pits.
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Cure with light
A curing light hardens the sealant in about 20 to 30 seconds per tooth.
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Check the bite
We verify that the sealant is smooth and does not interfere with the way the teeth come together, then you can eat normally right away.
No freezing, no drilling, and no recovery time. Several sealants are typically placed in a single appointment.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
For families at Georgian Dental Orillia, the benefits of sealants tend to compound over years of routine care:
Sealants are not a replacement for brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, but they add a durable layer of protection to the teeth that cavities most commonly target.
Why Choose Georgian Dental Orillia for Sealants
We see sealants at Georgian Dental Orillia as one piece of a long-term preventive plan rather than a standalone product. The practice you choose shapes the whole preventive relationship, and a few things set our approach apart:
Dental Sealants Cost and Insurance
The cost of dental sealants at Georgian Dental Orillia is among the lower-investment preventive treatments we offer. Your total depends on a few factors we review at the appointment:
We provide a clear cost estimate before treatment, and we accept CDCP benefitsThis link leads to CDCP page. Many private dental plans in Ontario include coverage for sealants on permanent molars for children and teens; we review your coverage with you so you know what to expect before anything is placed.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child get dental sealants?
Sealants are usually considered once a permanent molar has fully erupted, which commonly happens around age 6 for the first molars and around age 12 for the second molars. Placing them shortly after eruption gives the tooth protection during its most cavity-prone years. Baby molars can also be sealed in certain cases, especially if your child has deep grooves or a history of early childhood decay.
Do dental sealants hurt?
No. Sealant placement is one of the most comfortable appointments in dentistry. No freezing is needed because the procedure does not involve drilling or removing any tooth structure. Children often describe it as having their tooth painted. If your child is nervous, we walk through each step before it happens and let them pause at any time.
How long do dental sealants last?
A well-placed sealant can last several years. Sealants do slowly wear down with chewing, and some may chip or come off earlier than others. We check the condition of each sealant at your regular hygiene visits and can touch up or replace a sealant when needed, usually as a quick add-on rather than a new appointment.
Can adults get dental sealants?
Yes. Sealants are most common in children and teens, but adults with deep grooves on their back teeth and no existing fillings on those surfaces can benefit too. If you have had cavities on the biting surfaces of your back teeth in the past, sealants may reduce the risk of new ones. We assess each tooth individually at a preventive exam.
Are dental sealants safe?
Sealants have been used in dentistry for decades and are considered safe by the Canadian Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Some patients ask about BPA; the trace amount associated with some sealant materials is well below the level cited as concerning in independent reviews. If you have specific questions about materials, raise them at your appointment and we will walk you through the options.
What happens if a sealant falls off?
A missing or chipped sealant is usually easy to spot at a routine exam. When a sealant comes off, the tooth underneath is still intact, because sealants sit on the surface rather than altering the tooth. We clean the tooth and place a fresh sealant. Letting us know between visits if you feel a change on a sealed tooth is helpful, but it is not an emergency.
Do sealants replace brushing and flossing?
No. Sealants protect only the chewing surface of back teeth. The sides of the teeth, the gumline, and the spaces between teeth still need brushing twice a day and daily flossing. Sealants and good home care work together, and one reinforces the other.