Dental sealants and fillings both protect your teeth, but they do opposite jobs: a sealant helps prevent a cavity on a healthy tooth, while a filling repairs a tooth after decay has set in. Which one you need comes down to whether there's already a cavity.
Sealants vs. fillings at a glance
- Purpose: sealants help prevent cavities; fillings repair teeth that already have them.
- Used on: sealants go on healthy or at-risk back teeth; fillings go on decayed teeth.
- How: a sealant coats the grooves of a tooth; a filling replaces decay that's been removed.
- Comfort: sealants need no drilling or numbing; fillings usually involve a local anesthetic.
- Cost: sealants are usually the lower-cost, preventive option.
What is a dental sealant?
A sealant is a thin, clear or tooth-colored coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. It smooths over the deep pits and grooves where food and bacteria collect, so the tooth is easier to keep clean. Sealants are most often placed on kids and teens soon after their back teeth come in, and adults with deep grooves or a higher risk of decay can benefit too.
How a sealant is applied
- The tooth is cleaned and dried.
- A mild gel is applied to help the sealant bond, then rinsed off.
- The sealant is painted into the grooves.
- A curing light hardens it, and your dentist checks your bite.
What is a dental filling?
A filling repairs an existing cavity. Your dentist numbs the area, removes the decayed part of the tooth, and fills the space with a restorative material, rebuilding the tooth's shape and strength so you can chew normally. Common materials include tooth-colored composite, silver amalgam, gold, and ceramic. The right one depends on where the tooth is, how large the filling needs to be, your preference, and your dentist's recommendation.
How a filling is placed
- The area is numbed.
- Decay is removed.
- The filling material is placed and shaped. Composite is hardened with a curing light layer by layer.
- The filling is polished and your bite is checked.
Which one do you need?
It depends on whether there's decay. No cavity yet on an at-risk tooth? A sealant can help protect it. A cavity has already formed? A filling repairs it. Sometimes a single tooth gets both: a filling in the decayed area and a sealant protecting the healthy grooves around it. An exam is the only way to know for sure.
How long do sealants and fillings last?
Sealants often last several years but can wear or chip, so your dentist checks them at regular visits and touches them up as needed. How long a filling lasts depends on the material, its size, and your habits like grinding. Your dentist will let you know what to expect for your tooth.
Cost and insurance
Sealants are a preventive service and are often covered for children; adult coverage varies by plan. Fillings are typically covered as a basic restorative service, with your out-of-pocket cost depending on your plan and the material used. Because sealants can reduce the chance of needing a filling later, they're often a cost-effective way to protect cavity-prone teeth.
Keeping sealants and fillings in good shape
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
- Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
- Avoid chewing ice and hard candy.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Keep up with regular checkups so your dentist can check sealants and fillings for wear.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a sealant and a filling?
A sealant is a preventive coating that protects a healthy tooth from decay; a filling repairs a tooth after a cavity has formed. Sealants prevent, fillings fix.
Can adults get dental sealants?
Yes. Sealants are most common for kids and teens as their molars come in, but adults with deep grooves or a higher risk of decay can benefit from them too.
Can you have a sealant and a filling on the same tooth?
Sometimes. Your dentist may fill a cavity and seal the healthy grooves around it to help protect the rest of the tooth.
Do sealants hurt?
No. Applying a sealant is quick and painless. The tooth is cleaned, the coating is painted on, and it's hardened with a light, with no drilling or numbing needed.
Are sealants covered by insurance?
Sealants are often covered for children as preventive care. Adult coverage varies by plan, so check your benefits or ask our team to check them for you.
Protect your teeth from cavities
Not sure whether your tooth needs protecting or repairing? Preventive care starts with an exam. Find your nearest Ideal Dental for a clear recommendation.