My dentist is trying to talk me into sealants for the kids.$$$

[Miz Diz]

I got my kids teeth sealed. I think it is a good thing to do if you can afford it. I would look for another dentist if I felt that they were trying to pressure me into spending more money. My neice is a dental hygienist and she gets paid by the patient and on a commission basis. I don't know if that is normal or not, but maybe your hygienist also gets a commission.

 

[Kies99]

I got mine done over 30 years ago when I was living in Australia. Best thing ever. No cavities.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think sealants are a good idea on adult teeth- I used to have a dentist who tried to make me feel like a bad parent for not sealing baby teeth. right.
when their new teeth come in I recommend it.
around here,it's maybe $50 a tooth,for the back ones,and it really helps cut cavity problems down,as stuff can't get stuck in the way back teeth as easily.

 

[Kitzka]

DD11 had sealants put on her molars. best $$ we ever spent. Insurance covered some of it but honestly, she inherited my teeth and i ALWAYS had cavities as a kid.

DD has always brushed her teeth 3 times a day (after she eats) and now flosses 3 times a day as well. before the sealants she had cavities all the time. not fun to have those suckers filled.

Lara

 

[Shleedogg]

I had sealants done when I was a kid, I'm 26 (almost 27 now, yikes!). I have only had one cavity since it was done and it was on a tooth where the sealant had worn off after 15 years. I had all my sealants replaced. I would definitely do it. My DH never had them done and has had so many cavities.

We haven't had dental insurance for a few years, so I haven't been to the dentist in 6 years, DH 2. DH knows he has cavities, me, not so sure. I think I'm cavity free, thank goodness for sealants!

 

[tar heel]

I would consider sealants to be a routine part of 21st century preventative dental care. I honestly don't remember how they were recommended by our dentist, but I sure wasn't offended if it was "hard-sell." I would have a lot bigger problem if there was something this effective available and it was not recommended. I have cavity-free sons who are 22 and 26, and I'll give sealants part of the credit for it. As someone who has spent thousands of dollars on my own dental care -- and will continue this pattern for the rest of my life, I I think this is no brainer.

Our insurance at the time covered sealants but it only covered one fluoride treatment a year -- we always paid for the second one.

 

[piglet33]

I got them for DD last year. We have Delta Dental and they paid for them, but even if they didn't I would have had them done.

 

[tinkarooni]

Ok... I'm confused. I have not heard of sealants before! I don't know if this is something I ever had on my teeth, and no one has ever mentioned it to me for my kids! And they both see the dentist regularly... And my daughter (who gets cavities easily it seems) sees a dentist just for children (forget the correct name).

This is not the same thing as a fluoride treatment is it?

OP here. Welcome. Dentists seal teeth nowadays as a preventative measure to keep those teeth from getting cavities. I had heard of them but had no idea that it was so prevalent to have them done. I remember one friend had them when I was a child, I'm not that old (38 ) and it seems even lots of people my age have them, so I guess it's not such a new thing. DH and I are discussing it, but I will say for example I only have two small cavities my whole life. My kids 9 and 11 (knock on wood) don't have any. So I wonder how much it will really prevent if you don't have the problems some of you do with the deep grooves in your teeth and what not.

So my next questions is, how do they apply them, was it no big deal for you or your kids?

 

[maslex]

OH, this is a sore subject for me...LOL

We recently (within the last 8-10 months) changed the boys dentist to a local one right down the road from instead of driving 30mins. Anyhow, on their first appointment which was a consultation, cleaning, and overall check up. The hygenist asked if I would like to make an appt for each of them to get sealants. I told her no since they were not covered under our insurance and that I would go home, talk to my DH and then decide if and when we would be able to pay out of pocket. She said okay. Fast foward a couple months when my DH took my oldest son for a filling. He came back home and said that we now owe the dentist $200/something (I don't remember the exact amount) I asked why....he tells me that they did the sealants since they *thought* I would want it done. I was so PI$$ED!!! I was on a rampage and unfortunately my DH got the brunt of it, poor guy. Anyhow, he called the dentist and expained that I was angry since we never agreed to have it done and that we're not paying, blah blah blah. Don't know the exact conversation but the agreed to only charge us half. I told DH not to pay anything but he's not that type of person, I guess.

So my oldest has them and I'm not sure yet if they help yet with the cavities (they are all at the dentist as we speak getting their cleanings...I just got back earlier this morning) I'm thinking eventually I'd like to get my youngest's done but for now we just don't have the extra $$$.

 

[cceandme]

i'm a dental assistant. I didnt read through all the replys so sorry if this was repeated. the reason we do sealants (and not everyone needs them) is for kids and adults who have deep groves in their teeth. sealants seal of the groves with a hard coating helping prevent cavities. note: sealants do not always stay on some may last years and years and some a few months so they may need to be redone. Most insurances cover this but usually only one per tooth in a lifetime. hope this helps

 

[tinkarooni]

Both of my DD's have them. Insurance covered them, but even if they didn't I would have had them done out of pocket. I think it's important to have preventative care.

I don't like the fact that your hygienist assumed you were going to jump on the sealant bandwagon. Our dentist asked if we were interested in getting them done and showed me the teeth he wanted them done on. He explained to me how it prevents cavities. I would hate to have a hard sell dentist or a preachy one.

Exactly what bothered me. I have a lot more questions now, I think I was just so taken off guard when I was in the office and they were just scheduling it. I didn't say yes or no, I was clear that I wanted to discuss with DH and do some research. I do think though that the hygienist was only doing what the dentist told her to do.

 

[tinkarooni]

I got my kids teeth sealed. I think it is a good thing to do if you can afford it. I would look for another dentist if I felt that they were trying to pressure me into spending more money. My neice is a dental hygienist and she gets paid by the patient and on a commission basis. I don't know if that is normal or not, but maybe your hygienist also gets a commission.

I had no idea hygienist's were paid on commission! That explains a lot.

 

[tinkarooni]

OH, this is a sore subject for me...LOL

We recently (within the last 8-10 months) changed the boys dentist to a local one right down the road from instead of driving 30mins. Anyhow, on their first appointment which was a consultation, cleaning, and overall check up. The hygenist asked if I would like to make an appt for each of them to get sealants. I told her no since they were not covered under our insurance and that I would go home, talk to my DH and then decide if and when we would be able to pay out of pocket. She said okay. Fast foward a couple months when my DH took my oldest son for a filling. He came back home and said that we now owe the dentist $200/something (I don't remember the exact amount) I asked why....he tells me that they did the sealants since they *thought* I would want it done. I was so PI$$ED!!! I was on a rampage and unfortunately my DH got the brunt of it, poor guy. Anyhow, he called the dentist and expained that I was angry since we never agreed to have it done and that we're not paying, blah blah blah. Don't know the exact conversation but the agreed to only charge us half. I told DH not to pay anything but he's not that type of person, I guess.

So my oldest has them and I'm not sure yet if they help yet with the cavities (they are all at the dentist as we speak getting their cleanings...I just got back earlier this morning) I'm thinking eventually I'd like to get my youngest's done but for now we just don't have the extra $$$.

No way! I would have had a fit too. That is outrageous! Did you switch dentists after that?

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

I got my kids teeth sealed. I think it is a good thing to do if you can afford it. I would look for another dentist if I felt that they were trying to pressure me into spending more money. My neice is a dental hygienist and she gets paid by the patient and on a commission basis. I don't know if that is normal or not, but maybe your hygienist also gets a commission.

Not all hygienists are paid commission. I am a hygienist in Canada and we are required to do what is beneficial for our patients, not what makes $$$$.
Sealants are a great thing! I do want to mention though that your child can still get cavities between their teeth if you/they are not flossing daily. Sealants only protect the chewing surface (grooves) of the teeth. Not in between. But still sealants are a great preventative measure to take!!

 

[tinkarooni]

Not all hygienists are paid commission. I am a hygienist in Canada and we are required to do what is beneficial for our patients, not what makes $$$$.
Sealants are a great thing! I do want to mention though that your child can still get cavities between their teeth if you/they are not flossing daily. Sealants only protect the chewing surface (grooves) of the teeth. Not in between. But still sealants are a great preventative measure to take!!

Thanks for your input. Another PP stated that sealants were not necessarily recommended for all. That's the part that I wonder about, as well as how difficult the procedure is to put them on. Thanks everybody, much appreciated.

 

[Shleedogg]

Thanks for your input. Another PP stated that sealants were not necessarily recommended for all. That's the part that I wonder about, as well as how difficult the procedure is to put them on. Thanks everybody, much appreciated.

They just paint it on. Painless and quick!

 

[tinkarooni]

They just paint it on. Painless and quick!

Thanks.

 

[kidd_freeper]

Good thread.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Hard sell for sealants.

Our insurance will only pay for the procedure once in a lifetime. I'm leaning towards waiting for the last of the permanent teeth to come in first. My kids also gag easily, so I'd like them to grow out of that.

 

[npmommie]

OP I didn't read thru the whole thread, so don't know if this has been mentioned.
but the sealants are best for molars with deep grooves, more prone to cavities.
I am also trying to decide on them.
but not for monetary reasons. our insurance covers them.
our pedi dentist doesn't push them, thank goodness.

but the whole bpa thing bothers me, so i have been researching it

 

[eyor44]

Oldest and youngest has had them ,but the middle one has not, he couldn't get past the smell and kept gagging. The dentist finally gave up. My insurance did not pay and I paid full price at $40 per tooth. Well worth I say.