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.
This is a refreshed take on our earlier explainer, dental sealants vs. fillings.
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 teeth; fillings go on decayed teeth.
- How: a sealant coats the grooves of a tooth; a filling replaces decay that's been removed.
- Cost: sealants are usually the lower-cost, preventive option.
What is a dental sealant?
A sealant is a thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surface of a back tooth. It smooths over the deep pits and grooves where food and bacteria collect, making the tooth easier to keep clean. Sealants are often recommended for kids and teens as molars come in, and some adults at higher risk of decay benefit too.
What is a dental filling?
A filling repairs an existing cavity. Your dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and fills the space with a restorative material such as tooth-colored composite, rebuilding the tooth's shape and strength so you can chew normally again.
Which one do you need?
It comes down to 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. Not sure? An exam settles it — and sometimes a single tooth gets both, with a filling in the decayed area and a sealant protecting the healthy grooves around it.
Can sealants save you money later?
Often, yes. By protecting cavity-prone grooves before decay starts, sealants can reduce the need for fillings down the road. Your dentist can tell you whether sealants make sense based on your teeth and your risk.
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 at 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. No drilling or numbing needed.
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.