Sealants vs. Fillings: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

When it comes to protecting your teeth and maintaining a healthy smile, you may have heard about both dental sealants and fillings. While these treatments are both commonly used in dentistry, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the distinction between sealants and fillings can help you make informed decisions about your oral health and the care your dentist recommends.
 

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars and premolars). These surfaces have grooves and pits that can easily trap food particles and bacteria, making them more vulnerable to cavities. Sealants work as a barrier, preventing bacteria and acids from settling in these hard-to-clean areas and reducing the risk of tooth decay.
 

Sealants are typically recommended for children and teenagers as soon as their permanent molars come in, but adults without cavities or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants. The application process is quick, painless, and does not require any drilling or removal of tooth structure.
 

Understanding Dental Fillings

Dental fillings, on the other hand, are used to repair teeth that have already developed cavities or have been damaged by decay. During this procedure, the dentist first removes the decayed portion of the tooth and then fills the empty space with a durable material such as composite resin, amalgam, or another dental material. Fillings restore the tooth’s normal function and shape, and they prevent further decay by sealing off spaces where bacteria can enter.
 

The Key Differences

Sealants are a preventive treatment, designed to protect teeth from cavities before decay begins. By creating a barrier over the chewing surfaces of healthy teeth, sealants help keep out food particles and bacteria. Fillings, on the other hand, are restorative. They are used to repair teeth that already have cavities, restoring the tooth’s shape and function after decay has occurred.
 

Sealants are applied to healthy teeth as a thin, protective coating. The process is simple, quick, and does not require any alteration to the tooth structure. In contrast, fillings require the dentist to first remove the decayed portion of the tooth. Only after the damaged area is cleaned out is the filling material placed to restore the tooth.
 

Sealants are most effective when applied before any signs of decay are present, making them an ideal preventive option for children and teenagers when their permanent molars come in. Fillings, however, are necessary only after a cavity has already developed, addressing damage that has already occurred.
 

Take the Next Step Toward a Healthier Smile

Both sealants and fillings are essential tools for protecting and maintaining your oral health, but they play different roles in your dental care. While sealants help prevent cavities from forming, fillings are necessary to repair teeth that have already been damaged by decay. Taking preventive steps with treatments like sealants can help you and your family avoid more extensive dental work in the future.
 

Whether you’re interested in preventing cavities with sealants or need a filling to restore a tooth, Sherwood Dental Care is here to guide you every step of the way. Visit our office in Sherwood, Oregon, or call (503) 625-3767 to schedule your appointment and find out which treatment is best for you or your family.