DENTAL Treatments
Beyond brushing and flossing, preventive dental care for children may involve regular cleanings and X-rays to ensure cavities aren't developing. Although cavities are common, they're not inevitable. One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent cavities is by getting dental sealants.
Teeth sealants act like a protective shield against tooth decay and can help prevent cavities from developing — and potentially reduce the need for fillings later on. Many dental insurance plans help pay for the cost of dental sealants, making them more affordable.
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating (typically made out of plastic) applied to the teeth to prevent tooth decay. The sealant creates a smooth surface over the grooves and pits of teeth, particularly the molars, making it harder for food and plaque to stick to the teeth (and making it easier to keep the teeth clean).1
Dental sealants can be effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children between the ages of 6 and 11 without teeth sealants have almost three times as many cavities in their first molars as children with sealants.2
Dental sealants can help protect your children's teeth while they're growing and developing — a critical time for setting good habits for long-term dental health.
Sealants for teeth have been rigorously studied for safety and efficacy, and their use has several benefits for children including:
Sealants are particularly effective in the prevention of decay on pit and fissure (the "nooks and crannies") surfaces of the teeth. Studies show pit-and-fissure sealants reduce the risk of decay by 73%, compared to using only fluoride varnishes.3
Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in some water sources (and it's added to some products, like mouthwashes and toothpaste), and it can strengthen tooth enamel and help reduce the risk of tooth decay. By contrast, sealants create a physical barrier that prevents food and bacteria from settling into the grooves of the teeth.
Although fluoride can be beneficial, the American Dental Association (ADA) reported that dental sealants were more effective in preventing tooth decay in children and adolescents than the use of fluoride varnishes.3
Your dentist may recommend complementing dental sealants with fluoride products, including toothpastes or fluoride varnishes.
Although adults can request teeth sealants, it's generally not as common for adults. By the time you reach adulthood, the areas that most benefit from sealants have been worn smooth, and you've likely been exposed to fluoride through water, mouth rinses, and toothpaste, which also reduce decay.
Consequently, at MetLife, our dental insurance plans typically do not list dental sealants for adults as a plan benefit, but your dentist may still recommend getting sealants if you're at a higher risk of cavities.
You can schedule a dental sealant appointment with your dental provider, but some schools and community clinics will also have events for kids to get dental sealants.
While your child may be nervous about visiting the dentist and getting teeth sealants, the application process is very quick, and it's completely painless. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting dental sealants:
Step 1: The dentist or dental hygienist will clean the tooth.
Step 2: Next, the teeth are dried, and cotton is placed around the tooth to keep it dry.
Step 3: The dentist applies a solution to the tooth to make the surface a little coarse or rough. This step makes it easier for the sealant to adhere to the tooth.
Step 4: The tooth is rinsed and dried, and cotton is reapplied to keep the area dry.
Step 5: The dentist paints on the sealant. In some cases, the dentist will use a special light to help the sealant harden.
Step 6: That's it! The sealants are complete.4
Each tooth takes just a few minutes, and the entire process takes less than 30 minutes. It can feel strange or uncomfortable to have the cotton in the mouth, but your child can take breaks in between treatments for each tooth, if needed.
Afterward, your child can eat and drink normally. But be aware that very hard candies, hot drinks, and sticky foods can chip or wear away at the sealants, so your child should only consume these items in moderation.5
The cost of dental sealants depends on how many teeth will be done, the dental practice, and your location.
According to the latest data released by the ADA, the average cost is usually about $66 per tooth.6
Your dental insurance may help with the cost. For example, MetLife dental insurance covers sealants for participants up to age 14 or 19, depending on your plan (after a six-month waiting period). MetLife will cover a sealant application to non-restored, non-decayed first and second permanent molars once per tooth every 60 months.
Review your policy documents to find out if sealants are eligible for coverage, and what age your child has to be to qualify. You can also ask your dentist to submit a pre-treatment estimate request to your insurer to verify the cost, and schedule the sealant application for the same time as a routine cleaning to minimize office visits.
There is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions around dental sealants. Here’s the truth behind some of the most common myths:7
Myth #1: Dental sealants are unproven.
Fact: Dental sealants have been commonly used by dentists since the 1960s. Over the past 60 years, numerous studies have shown that dental sealants are safe, and they significantly reduce the risk of cavities.
Myth #2: Sealants hurt.
Fact: Tooth sealants are applied quickly and painlessly. There are no needles, drills, or even numbing — the application process simply involves cleaning, drying, and painting on the sealant, and using a light to harden it.
Myth #3: Sealants aren't cost-effective.
Fact: Experts estimate that every $1 invested in preventive dentistry like sealants saves $38 in dental care later. 6 The use of sealants can reduce (or eliminate) the need for expensive fillings, root canals, or crowns.
Myth #4: Sealants take a long time to apply.
Fact: Each tooth takes just a few minutes to complete, and dental sealants can be applied in less than 30 minutes.
Myth #5: Teeth sealants are unsafe.
Fact: Although dental sealants can contain trace amounts of Bisphenol A (BPA), the level in sealants is limited to about 0.001% after 24 hours, a level that is well below the daily exposure levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Leading dental and pediatric welfare organizations agree that the benefits of teeth sealants overwhelmingly outweigh the very minimal exposure risk.8
Sealants are helpful tools to protect your child's teeth and prevent decay, but they aren't a substitute for solid oral hygiene habits and dentistry.
A comprehensive oral hygiene and preventive care plan for children will include the following:
Additionally, a healthy diet — limiting sugary snacks and drinks like candy or soda — can also help maintain strong, healthy teeth.
You can help your child set good habits by modeling dental hygiene yourself. Make brushing fun by brushing your teeth together or by playing songs or using mobile apps. And praising your child's efforts and behavior at the dentist can help them stay on track.
If you’re a MetLife Dental Insurance member, you can use the MyBenefits portal to manage your dental insurance and view your benefits. The portal provides a streamlined, easy-to-use place for managing your dental care coverage and finding information. You can log into the portal to do the following:
You can also track recent dental claims and access customer support if you have questions about your dental plan or coverage.
For instance, say you decide to move forward with teeth sealants. You can use the MyBenefits portal to ensure your child is eligible. Depending on your plan, you’ll see that if your child is under the age of 14 or 19, and has healthy teeth, they qualify. Then, you use the portal to find an in-network dentist near you and schedule an appointment.
Dental sealants can play an important role in your child's preventive dental care plan. They're not a form of cosmetic dentistry. Instead, alongside good habits like daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings and checkups, sealants can protect your child's teeth and promote lifelong dental health.
Teeth sealants could help reduce the risk of cavities before they can start, possibly sparing your child from having to go through fillings or root canals. It’s a simple, painless, and quick procedure that can produce significant and long-lasting benefits.
And, if your insurance plan helps with the cost of dental sealants, they can be incredibly cost-effective, saving you money over the long run.
No. Fillings are used to treat existing cavities by removing the decay and filling the space with a dental material. By contrast, sealants are preventive; they're applied to healthy teeth to prevent issues from developing.
In general, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child to the dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months. If your child is at an increased risk of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits, such as cleanings and checkups every three months.9
To prevent tooth decay in your child's teeth, work with them to teach proper brushing and flossing techniques, limit sugary snacks and drinks, and schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups. Also consider preventive treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride varnishes.
