Dental Sealants in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC
Sometimes brushing is not enough — especially when it comes to the hard-to-reach grooves on the back teeth. Toothbrush bristles simply cannot get into the deep pits and fissures of your child’s molars, leaving those spots vulnerable to decay even when your child brushes and flosses consistently. Dental sealants close that gap. They give your child’s teeth a protective shield against the bacteria and acids that cause cavities, and they do it in just a few minutes during a routine visit. At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, and Indian Trail, sealants are a key part of how we help children stay cavity-free. We accept virtually all insurance plans, including NC Medicaid, and offer a dental savings plan for families without insurance.
- Most major insurance accepted
- NC Medicaid provider
- In-house dental savings plan
- All major credit cards
Since 2014
Serving Charlotte families
3 Offices
Plaza Midwood, Ayrsley & Indian Trail
~5 Min
Painless sealant per tooth
NC & SC
Medicaid accepted
At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, and Indian Trail, we offer dental sealants as an effective preventive treatment to protect your child’s teeth from tooth decay and cavities. Dental sealants are simple, painless, and provide long-lasting protection by sealing the deep grooves of the molars where cavities most commonly form. Call us today to learn how sealants fit into your child’s preventive care plan. All Kids. All Smiles.
Atención en Español Disponible
Atención en Español Disponible
¿Prefieres información en español? Nuestros dentistas pediátricos y personal hablan español con fluidez. Haga clic aquí para ver esta página en español.
Pediatric and Family Dentistry Financing Available
Gentle, comprehensive dental care for children with flexible payment options for growing families.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin, plastic-resin coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth — primarily the first and second permanent molars. These molars have deep pits and grooves that trap food particles and bacteria, making them the most cavity-prone teeth in the mouth. Once a sealant is applied, it bonds directly into those grooves and hardens, creating a smooth, flat surface that is far easier to clean.
Sealants do not change the appearance of the tooth and are virtually undetectable. They protect both the tooth structure and the enamel underneath, acting as a barrier between the tooth’s surface and the acids and bacteria that cause decay.
The Dental Sealant Process
Sealants are applied during a routine visit — no drilling, no anesthesia, no discomfort. Here is exactly what to expect:
1
Clean
The tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned to remove any food debris or plaque from the grooves.
2
Prepare
The tooth is lightly conditioned with a gentle gel that helps the sealant bond more securely to the enamel.
3
Apply
The liquid sealant is painted into the grooves and settles into all the deep pits and fissures of the tooth.
4
Cure
A curing light hardens the sealant in seconds, bonding it permanently to the tooth surface.
5
Bite Check
We do a quick bite check to confirm everything feels natural. Your child can eat and drink immediately after.
Why Are Sealants Important for Your Child's Teeth?
Back teeth are uniquely vulnerable to decay. The deep pits and fissures in the molars trap food and bacteria that a toothbrush simply cannot reach — even with perfect brushing technique. According to research cited by the CDC, dental sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities in the back teeth during the years children are most cavity-prone.
At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend sealants as a key part of preventive care, particularly once your child’s first and second permanent molars have fully erupted — typically between ages 6–7 and 12–14. By protecting these teeth early, you can significantly reduce the need for fillings in the future. Our team at each visit checks whether your child’s sealants are still intact and re-applies them if needed.
The Dental Sealant Process
The sealant application is one of the quickest and most straightforward procedures in pediatric dentistry. Here is exactly what your child can expect:
- Cleaning — The tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned to remove any food debris or plaque from the grooves.
- Preparation — The tooth is lightly conditioned with a gentle gel that helps the sealant bond more securely to the enamel surface. This step is painless and takes just seconds.
- Application — The liquid sealant material is painted into the grooves of the tooth and settles into all the deep pits and fissures.
- Curing — A small curing light hardens the sealant in seconds, bonding it permanently to the tooth surface.
- Bite check — We check the sealant quickly to make sure the bite feels natural and no adjustments are needed.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Dental sealants can last three to ten years with proper care. At each routine visit, our team inspects the sealants and reapplies any that have worn through — the same quick, painless process as the original application. For children at higher cavity risk, we may recommend checking sealant integrity more frequently between regular checkups.
Protect Your Child's Teeth with Dental Sealants
Quick, painless, and covered by most insurance. Call your nearest All Kids location or book online today.
Schedule OnlineAdditional Benefits of Dental Sealants
Beyond cavity prevention, sealants make daily oral hygiene more effective. The smooth sealed surface gives a toothbrush better contact with the tooth. They also provide meaningful backup protection for children still developing their brushing habits. And they are highly cost-effective — a sealant costs a fraction of a filling, and far less than a crown or more complex restoration.
Preventive Care for the Future
Sealants are a long-term investment in your child’s dental health. By protecting the back teeth through the years when cavity risk is highest, sealants help your child develop strong oral health habits without the setback of early decay. They are especially valuable for children who are prone to cavities, have deep molar grooves, or whose home brushing does not yet reliably reach the back teeth. Sealants are part of a complete preventive approach alongside regular dental exams and cleanings and fluoride treatments.
Schedule Your Child's Dental Sealant Appointment at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry
At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we make it easy to protect your child’s smile with sealants at any of our three offices in Plaza Midwood, Ayrsley, and Indian Trail. Our team is dedicated to making every visit comfortable and efficient — sealants are typically applied during the same appointment as your child’s regular checkup, so there is no need for a separate visit. We accept virtually all insurance plans, NC and SC Medicaid, and our in-house dental savings plan. Call us today or schedule online to get your child protected.
Protect Your Child’s Teeth with Sealants
A few minutes today can prevent years of cavities. Sealants are quick, painless, and included during your child’s routine visit. Call any of our offices or book online now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting a dental sealant hurt?
No. The sealant application is completely painless and requires no anesthesia, no drilling, and no numbing. The process involves cleaning the tooth, applying a conditioning gel, painting on the liquid sealant, and curing it with a light — all within a few minutes per tooth. Most children find the appointment straightforward and have no discomfort during or after.
When should my child get dental sealants?
Dental sealants are typically recommended once a child’s permanent molars have fully erupted — usually the first molars around age 6 to 7, and the second molars around age 12 to 14. However, sealants can also be placed on baby molars that are particularly deep or cavity-prone. Our team assesses each child individually and recommends sealants based on their tooth anatomy and cavity risk.
Are dental sealants safe for children?
Yes. Dental sealants are safe, non-invasive, and widely recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as a standard preventive measure. The material is a resin-based plastic that bonds to the tooth enamel. It contains no BPA once cured, and the amounts of any precursor compounds present are far below levels of concern. Sealants have been used safely in pediatric dentistry for decades.
Does insurance cover dental sealants for children?
Many insurance plans cover dental sealants for children on permanent molars, though coverage varies by plan. We accept virtually all PPO plans, NC and SC Medicaid, TRICARE, VA dental benefits, HSA and FSA funds, and our in-house dental savings plan for families without insurance. Call any of our offices and our team will verify your benefits before the appointment — no surprises.
If it’s been six months or more since your child’s last dental checkup, then it’s time to contact our practice and schedule an appointment!
Our Convenient Locations
Our Convenient Locations
We Can’t Wait To Meet You
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
We Can’t Wait To Meet You
Please use the form below to schedule your appointment with us. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can schedule through our online chat or by calling or texting the office.
