At Sincere Smiles Dental, we believe a healthy smile starts with prevention. When it comes to protecting your teeth from cavities (especially for kids and teens), two of the most common treatments we recommend are dental sealants and tooth fillings. Both are important tools in your dental health toolbox, but they serve very different purposes.
What’s the difference between sealants and fillings? How do you know which one is right for you or your child? Let’s break it down, with guidance straight from your trusted family dentist in Howell.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a painless and straightforward way to prevent cavities before they develop. They’re a thin, protective coating (usually made of plastic or resin) that we often brush onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where food and bacteria love to hide. Molars have natural grooves and pits that can be tricky to keep clean, even with great brushing. Sealants act as a barrier, keeping bacteria and plaque out of those deep spots.
Great candidates for sealants:
- Children who have just gotten their permanent molars
- Teens who are cavity-prone
- Adults with deep grooves in their back teeth and no prior decay
Dental sealants are a quick, non-invasive treatment option that is generally covered by dental insurance for children. Best of all? They can protect against up to 80% of cavities in molars for over two years.
What About Fillings?
Unlike sealants, dental fillings are used after a cavity has already formed. Once decay has damaged a tooth, the affected area must be removed and replaced with a dental material, typically tooth-colored composite resin, that restores both function and appearance.
Fillings are safe, effective, and very common. However, your Howell family dentist, Dr. Shant Bedikian, believes that prevention is better than repair whenever possible. While fillings are necessary to restore decayed teeth, they don’t prevent cavities from forming in the first place. That’s why sealants are such a valuable part of long-term oral health, especially for children.
Sealants vs. Fillings: What’s the Better Option?
Think of sealants as raincoats for your teeth. They prevent decay from ever settling in. On the other hand, dental fillings are more like patches on a roof—necessary repairs when there’s already a leak.
So, which one’s better? It depends on your needs:
- No cavity yet? Go with sealants to stay ahead of decay.
- Already have a cavity? A filling will stop the damage and restore your tooth.
The best part? Sealants are affordable, quick to apply, and completely pain-free. There’s no drilling, no numbing—just clean, protected teeth.
Even if you or your child already has one or two fillings, sealants can still be a smart option for the other teeth, especially the molars that haven’t yet developed decay.
Prevention Is Key (with the Right Howell Family Dentist)
At Sincere Smiles Dental, we’re passionate about prevention because we know it leads to fewer procedures, less stress, and healthier smiles. Whether you’re a parent looking to protect your child’s teeth or an adult trying to avoid more fillings, we’re here to help with care that’s gentle, honest, and personalized.
As your family dentist in Howell, we’ll help you choose the right plan—whether that’s sealants, fillings, or a combination of both—based on your health, habits, and goals.
Protect Your Smile with Sincere
If you want to stay ahead of cavities and give your family’s smiles the best possible start, dental sealants are a smart, simple step. And if you already have a cavity, no worries—we’ve got you covered with comfortable, effective fillings too.
Book a visit at Sincere Smiles Dental today with your favorite Howell family dentist. Let’s work together to keep your teeth strong, clean, and cavity-free for life.
