Dental Sealants Procedure

All teeth, no matter where they are located in your mouth, can succumb to decay and cavities. However, molars in the back of your mouth are particularly at risk because they contain main deep grooves and crevices in which bacteria, plaque, and debris can reside and start eating away at the enamel. One of the easiest and best ways to prevent this process is with the application of dental sealants. Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry in Knoxville, TN, ensures that children and adults alike receives preventive treatment to protect their teeth from damage due to decay.

How dental sealants work

While many people think of dental sealants for kids, adults can also benefit from this treatment! In particular, if you have very deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of your molars, it can be difficult to fully clean all of the food particles and plaque out of these areas with normal toothbrushing. Dental sealants create a protective shield to help prevent acid and bacteria from lurking in these areas and penetrating through the dental enamel, where they can lead to cavities and other problems. Dental sealants are:

• Safe
• Effective

• Affordable
• Painless
• Invisible
• Quick to apply

What to expect

Dental sealants are typically placed on permanent molars after they have erupted. The process for placing sealants is so fast that we can usually do it right after your normal preventive cleaning. After your teeth are clean, we thoroughly dry the teeth that will have sealants applied and then we apply a solution that helps prepare the surface of the tooth so the sealant will form a strong bond with the tooth. Then, we place the sealant solution onto the chewing surfaces of the molars. It dries quickly and then we will check your bite and make any adjustments to the shape of the sealants as needed. Most sealants can last for 10 years or longer, and their cost is often covered by dental insurance.

To learn more about child or adult tooth sealants and whether they are right for a member of your family, call Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry today! Our office is conveniently located near the Powell, Farragut, Seymour, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and Karns communities and can be reached at (865) 426-1776.

Dr. Micheal Costa

Dr. Costa

Dr. Stephen Malone

Dr. Malone


Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry offers a unique dental care experience to our patients in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. The crew is committed to protecting and increasing the natural beauty of your smile by employing conservative, cutting-edge techniques that result in attractive, long-lasting smiles!

Our dedicated and experienced team of doctors includes Dr. Stephen Malone, D.M.D., University of Louisville, and Dr. Michael Costa, D.D.S., UNC School of Dentistry, M.H.A., UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC. They are firm believers in continuing education to provide their patients with the finest possible care.

Drs. Costa and Malone see their patients as real partners in their service. Our team is committed to making your dental care journey as pleasant as possible.

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