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Dental sealants

invisible protection that
stops cavities before they start

The deep grooves in back molars trap food and bacteria that no toothbrush can reach — and that's where most cavities begin. A dental sealant fills and seals those grooves in minutes, with no drilling, no needles, and no discomfort.

Why molars are the highest-risk teeth — and how sealants fix that

The chewing surfaces of back molars are covered in deep pits and grooves — natural features that give teeth their grinding power but also create tight spaces where food and bacteria collect.

Toothbrush bristles are physically too wide to reach into these grooves, meaning no amount of brushing clears them fully. Decay forms in these crevices silently, often going undetected until a filling is needed. A dental sealant fills these grooves with a thin resin that bonds to the tooth surface, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean barrier that stops bacteria getting in.

How does the procedure work and does it hurt?

The procedure for dental sealants is easy, non-invasive, and most importantly – painless. After a tooth’s chewing surface has been properly cleaned, rinsed, and dried, the sealant is painted onto it. To help harden the sealant, a light is briefly shined directly on the tooth, forming a smooth, protective shield.

Sealed vs unsealed molars over 10 years

With sealants
  • Grooves physically blocked — bacteria can't enter
  • Easy to clean with routine brushing
  • 80% reduction in molar cavity risk
  • No drilling, fillings, or crowns needed
  • Lasts 5–10 years, checked at every visit
  • Covered 100% for children under most plans
Without sealants
  • Deep grooves collect food and bacteria daily
  • Toothbrush bristles can't reach inside grooves
  • Decay often starts here first — silently
  • Typically requires a filling within a few years
  • Filling may eventually need a crown
  • Significantly higher long-term treatment cost
What to expect

Simple, quick, and completely painless

No drilling. No needles. No numbing. The entire process for all four molars takes around 30 minutes.
Step 1 (5 min)
Step 1 (5 min)

Teeth are cleaned & examined

Each tooth is examined to confirm it is fully erupted and free of existing decay. Sealants should only be placed on healthy, unfilled teeth.
Step 2 (2 min per tooth)
Step 2 (2 min per tooth)

Tooth surface is prepared

Each tooth is dried and a mild acidic gel is applied for a few seconds to gently roughen the enamel surface — creating a better bonding surface for the resin. The gel is rinsed off and the tooth dried again.
Step 3 (1 min per tooth)
Step 3 (1 min per tooth)

Sealant is painted on

Liquid sealant resin is painted directly into the pits and grooves of the chewing surface, flowing into every crevice. It is completely clear or tooth-coloured and invisible once set.
Step 4 (30 sec per tooth)
Step 4 (30 sec per tooth)

Curing light sets it instantly

A UV curing light hardens the resin in seconds. The sealant is checked for coverage and bite — any high spots are polished smooth. You can eat and drink normally right away.

Common questions

Do sealants hurt?

No. There is no drilling, no needles, and no anaesthetic. The procedure involves cleaning, drying, and painting on a liquid resin — nothing more. Most children and adults find it completely comfortable. The whole process for four molars takes around 30 minutes.

With normal use and good oral hygiene, sealants typically last between 5 and 10 years — sometimes longer. They are assessed at every routine check-up and any worn or chipped areas can be repaired quickly with a new layer of sealant resin. The tooth remains protected for as long as the sealant is intact.

No. Sealants must only be placed on healthy, decay-free tooth surfaces. Sealing over active decay traps bacteria inside and allows it to continue progressing invisibly. This is why a thorough examination — including DIAGNOdent laser scanning — is done before placement to confirm the tooth is completely decay-free.
Dental sealants are safe and have been used for over 50 years. Some sealant materials contain trace amounts of BPA precursors, but the ADA and FDA confirm the amount released is negligible and well below any level of concern. At Dublin Metro Dental we use BPA-free sealant materials. The risk of leaving molars unsealed far outweighs any theoretical concern about the resin used.
Most dental insurance plans cover sealants at 100% for children under 14, on first and second permanent molars. Coverage for teenagers and adults varies by plan. Our team verifies your specific benefits before the appointment and confirms your cost — for most children, sealants are completely free under insurance.