Sealants vs. Fillings: Understanding the Difference
Dental health is just as important as the rest of your physical health. In fact, your oral health is a window to your overall health. For instance, your oral health plays a role in conditions ranging from endocarditis and cardiovascular disease to pneumonia and diabetes, says the Mayo Clinic. This serves to underscore just how important preventive care is, which is why seeing your dentist in Hudson on a regular basis is so critical.
But regular teeth cleanings are just one part of the equation. Getting sealants and fillings when needed, and having them checked each time you visit, is imperative too. But many people don’t realize the difference between the two. Today, we’ll go over what sealants and fillings are and why they matter for patients – not only when it comes to oral health but overall health as well.
What are dental sealants?
These are thin and protective coatings that the dentist applies to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. They are designed to protect your molars from harmful, cavity-causing bacteria. Dental sealants are a central component of any preventive dental treatment plan for kids and adults.
After the dentist applies the thin liquid coating, they will then harden the material with a curing light. While a great form of protection for teeth, sealants don’t last forever. That’s why they should be re-applied every few years, or as the dentist sees fit. Because they are just one line of defense against cavities, you are still expected to keep up with a regular brushing and flossing routine.
Ideal candidates for dental sealants include children, teens, and cavity-prone adults.
What are dental fillings?
Dental fillings are used to fill in a small hole in the tooth (a cavity). The dentist will first remove the decayed tissue, then fill the hole with a composite resin filling made up of tooth-colored glass and plastic materials. There are other filling material types out there, such as silver amalgam, porcelain, or ceramic. The one you choose will depend on the dentist’s recommendation, insurance coverage, your preferences, and the location and extent of the decay.
A minimally invasive treatment for cavities, fillings are important in protecting the tooth from further damage, pain sensitivity, and eventually infection and tooth loss if ignored.
What are the differences between sealants and fillings?
The main difference between sealants and fillings is their purpose. In a nutshell:
- Sealants provide protection.
- Fillings provide treatment.
The next major difference lies in the timing. Sealants are applied to the teeth prior to tooth decay occurring thanks to their protective qualities. In other words, they are a proactive measure. In contrast, fillings are reactive in nature, the need for which occurs after tooth decay has already happened.
Next, sealants and fillings differ in their cost and insurance coverage.
- Sealants cost about $50 per tooth, and they are often covered by insurance because they are considered preventive in nature.
- Fillings can cost as little as $100 and up to $1,000 for porcelain. Composite (white) fillings are the most popular type, and will run you about $200, says GoodRX.
There are many things that determine the cost of a filling other than material, such as the location of the tooth and the size of the cavity.
And finally, the invasiveness of the procedure differs between the two. Sealants are painted on by the dentist, then cured by a blue light that essentially spurs a chemical reaction designed to harden the sealant material. This takes all of a few minutes per tooth. No numbing agent is needed and the procedure is not uncomfortable or painful.
On the other hand, fillings are more invasive. Because the dentist has to use a dental drill or laser to remove the decayed material, a numbing agent such as Novocaine is used to minimize pain and ensure comfort, especially when it comes to deeper cavities involving removal of decay near the nerve. Fillings take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
That said, here at Hudson Family Dental, we can often use the Solea CO2 dental laser system for simple cavity fillings. With this approach, many people don’t need the anesthesia.
Which one is right for you?
In general, anyone who is prone to tooth decay on their back teeth should consider getting dental sealants. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends children get sealants as soon as their permanent molars erupt (age 6 and 12). Speak with your dentist at each visit to get their recommendation about frequency and necessity.
When it comes to fillings, though, you usually don’t have a choice. A cavity can be very painful and lead to infection and the possible need for a root canal later on. For this reason, getting a filling at the first sign of a cavity is the best approach to avoid further pain, damage, and cost.
Some signs you have a cavity and need a filling include:
- Toothache
- Tooth sensitivity
- Mild or sharp pain when eating or drinking something cold, hot, or sweet
- Holes or pits in the teeth
- Black, brown, or white staining on any tooth surface
- Pain when biting down
The best way to avoid cavities in the first place is to attend regular checkups twice yearly.
How Hudson Family Dental can help
Hudson Family Dental, as you can tell from our name, provides personalized care for families and individuals of all ages with a full range of dental services, including sealants and fillings.
We encourage you to schedule an exam today, especially if you are experiencing pain in your tooth. By attending checkup appointments every six months, we can stay on top of your oral health and catch problems early on before they progress. Our team values early intervention and regular dental care. Book your appointment or consultation today!
