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 |  | With Dental Insurance: Free |  | Without Dental Insurance: $35-$60 Per Tooth |
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Dental sealants are a thin, plastic layer applied to the chewing surface of back teeth and molars to prevent tooth decay. Most frequently, children and teenagers receive protective sealants, but adults also can benefit from dental sealants.
Typical costs: |
- A metal extension
- For uninsured patients, dental sealants typically cost $35-$60 per tooth. The cost of dental sealants tends to be higher in larger, metropolitan areas.
Related articles: Teeth Cleaning, Dental X-Rays, Dental Work
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What should be included: |
- Applying sealants is typically quick and painless. A dentist or dental assistant will clean the teeth that are to be sealed thoroughly. Each tooth is then dried and absorbent material is placed around the tooth to keep the area dry. An acid solution is applied to the chewing surface, which allows the sealant to bond better. Finally, sealant is applied to the tooth enamel. Sometimes a light is used to help the sealant harden on the enamel.
Additional costs: |
- Typically, teeth need to be cleaned to have sealants applied. The teeth cleaning cost might not be included in the price of sealant application. Teeth cleaning typically costs $50-$135.
Discounts: |
- Dental sealants typically cost considerably less than waiting for a tooth to decay and then repairing it with a filling. Insurance coverage ranges from policy to policy and some restrictions may apply. Typical restrictions on dental sealants include only covering certain teeth or only covering patients in a certain age range. Fillings typically cost $75-$300 per tooth.
- Some states and counties have free or low-cost programs that cover dental sealants for children. For example, the Arizona Department of Health Services offers free dental sealants to children in second and fifth grades who are not covered by dental insurance.
- The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors provides links to each state's oral health programs[1] , which might have free or low-cost programs for dental sealants.
- Some elementary schools provide dental sealant programs aimed at students who might not otherwise receive preventative dental care. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides information on school-based dental sealant programs[2] .
Shopping for dental sealants: |
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Oral Health has a fact sheet[3] with information about dental sealants.
- The American Dental Association has a nationwide dental directory[4] .
- The Academy of General Dentistry also provides a listing of dentists[5] nationwide.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: a user in San Ramon, CA. | Posted: July 27th, 2023 10:07PM |
| Number of Teeth: 1 | Dentist: Dr Seo |
Quoted cost $80 per tooth |
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| Posted by: kp899 in westminster, CA. | Posted: August 3rd, 2017 02:08PM |
| Number of Teeth: 135 per tooth | Dentist: nguyhen |
I was quoted a price for sealant of $135 per tooth, two teeth. This seems high. Have not done yet. Any comments? |
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| Posted by: Matt_MacGyver in Tigard, OR. | Posted: July 27th, 2017 04:07PM |
| Number of Teeth: 6 | Dentist: Dr. Ben Kang |
This is outrageous. The billing lady said to me, don't worry, insurance covers it. So what? That doesn't make it okay to give yourselves a huge profit margin. It took around 10 minutes to apply, so that's basically making $360 * 6 = $2160 per hour!!! How is that even ethical? |
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| Posted by: NOT INSURED in Spring, TX. | Posted: April 27th, 2017 06:04AM |
| Number of Teeth: 5 | Dentist: Spring Children\'s Dentistry |
Paying out of pocket, price seems high. |
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External Resources: |
- www.astdd.org/state-programs/
- www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/topics/dental_sealant_programs.htm
- www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/sealants_faq.htm
- www.mouthhealthy.org/en/find-a-dentist.aspx
- www.knowyourteeth.com/findadentist/
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