Tooth Sealant

[PsyOps]

15 year old son got back from the dentist the other day. He had no cavities. He has had one small cavity his whole life so far. Now, out of the blue the dentist recommends he get his teeth sealed. I’ve known no one to every have this done. Insurance does not cover it and it will cost around $290.

I’m a little skeptical this is nothing more than a money making scheme. So, a couple of questions:

- Is this something that is really necessary?
- How long will it last?

[getbent (Premo)]

In my experience sealants are usually done when children get their molars at age 6 and sometimes at age 12. Just as a precautionary things since most children that age are still trying to master brushing correctly. How many teeth did they say needed the sealants?

[jp2854]

they also do them on adults who have deep pitted teeth. they aren't doing it to make money they are looking out for your kid.

[PsyOps]

Originally Posted by getbent

In my experience sealants are usually done when children get their molars at age 6 and sometimes at age 12. Just as a precautionary things since most children that age are still trying to master brushing correctly. How many teeth did they say needed the sealants?

They want to do 8 teeth. They are charging about $36 per tooth.

[PsyOps]

Originally Posted by jp2854

they also do them on adults who have deep pitted teeth. they aren't doing it to make money they are looking out for your kid.

The reason I am skeptical is because they waiting until he's 15 to recommend this. My insurance would have covered it if he was 14 or younger. Now that he's 15 I have to pay out-of-pocket. Not this dentist or any of his dentists in the past has recommended it. He has been going to this dentist for almost 5 years now. I just thought it was kind of odd they waited until now.

[Nickel]

Sealants can last up to 10 years. Of course they aren't necessary, but they're a very good way to prevent cavities in those back molars. It's possible that your son has deep pits and fissures in his molars and he'd like to seal them rather than risk decay. I was a dental assistant (a lifetime ago ) and we did them regularly. My brothers and I all had them, and my son will be getting them when his permanent molars come in. It's cheaper than paying for fillings in the future.

[SoMDGirl42 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Nickel

Sealants can last up to 10 years. Of course they aren't necessary, but they're a very good way to prevent cavities in those back molars. It's possible that your son has deep pits and fissures in his molars and he'd like to seal them rather than risk decay. I was a dental assistant (a lifetime ago ) and we did them regularly. My brothers and I all had them, and my son will be getting them when his permanent molars come in. It's cheaper than paying for fillings in the future.

My son had deep pits in his molars. They did sealants around age 11. Can't remember exactly. Never had a cavity when he was little. He's 20 now and has his first cavity since the sealants feel off.

OP, if you can handle the 290, I say go ahead and do them. It won't hurt and can only help in the long run.

[PsyOps]

Originally Posted by Nickel

Sealants can last up to 10 years. Of course they aren't necessary, but they're a very good way to prevent cavities in those back molars. It's possible that your son has deep pits and fissures in his molars and he'd like to seal them rather than risk decay. I was a dental assistant (a lifetime ago ) and we did them regularly. My brothers and I all had them, and my son will be getting them when his permanent molars come in. It's cheaper than paying for fillings in the future.

I don't know if he has deep pits or fissures. All I know is he brushes like typical 15 years, never flosses and has had one small cavity in that time. By the time I was 15 all of my molars had fillings in them. My biggest wonder is why the dentist waited until he's 15 to recommend this.

[PsyOps]

Originally Posted by SoMDGirl42

My son had deep pits in his molars. They did sealants around age 11. Can't remember exactly. Never had a cavity when he was little. He's 20 now and has his first cavity since the sealants feel off.

OP, if you can handle the 290, I say go ahead and do them. It won't hurt and can only help in the long run.

We'll probably have it done. I'm just POed that they waited until my insurance no longer covers it. Totally defeats the purpose of insurance.

[BadGirl (Premo)]

Originally Posted by jp2854

they also do them on adults who have deep pitted teeth. they aren't doing it to make money they are looking out for your kid.

You're funny...