Reviewed by Dr. Paul Rubin, DDS
Reading time: four minutes.
Dental sealants and fillings are both used to protect children’s teeth, but they aren’t interchangeable. Sealants help prevent cavities before they start, while fillings are used to treat teeth that have already developed decay.
Understanding the difference can help you feel more confident about your child’s dental care and the steps needed to support a healthy smile.
This blog explains how dental sealants and fillings work, when each is recommended, and how they fit into your child’s overall dental care.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Dental sealants help prevent cavities, while fillings are used to treat them. Both play an important role in maintaining your child’s long-term oral health.
Understanding the Difference Between Dental Sealants and Fillings
Both treatments aim to protect your child’s teeth, but they serve different purposes. Here is a breakdown of each treatment and its purpose.
Dental Sealants: Preventive Protection
A dental sealant is a thin, protective material applied to the outer chewing surface of molar teeth.
It acts as a physical barrier that blocks food particles and decay-causing bacteria from settling into the deep grooves of the tooth surface.
Key facts about sealants:
- Best for healthy teeth: Sealants work on teeth without existing damage from tooth decay.
- Quick and painless: No drilling or anesthesia is required for this preventative procedure.
- Ideal for kids aged 6–14: This is when permanent teeth erupt and are most at risk of cavities.
- Lasts several years: With proper care and regular dental appointments, sealants can protect teeth for up to 5–10 years.
Sealants act like a protective shield for teeth. They offer a preventative measure against early decay.
Fillings: Restorative Treatment
A dental filling is used after decay occurs. The dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and replaces it with a durable dental filling material.
Key facts about fillings:
- Used after decay starts: Fillings are restorative measures that treat decayed teeth.
- Requires drilling: This dental procedure may involve anesthesia to ensure comfort.
- Stops further damage: A composite filling seals the tooth and prevents harmful bacteria from reaching deeper layers.
- Material options: Fillings can be made of composite resin, silver amalgam, ceramic fillings, or other types of materials depending on the need.
Modern tooth-colored fillings made from composite materials provide a natural appearance and help restore normal function while preserving oral health.
| Feature | Dental Sealant | Dental Filling |
| Purpose | Prevents decay | Repairs decay |
| When used | Before cavities form | After cavities form |
| Procedure | Quick and non-invasive | May require numbing and drilling |
| Best for | Healthy molars | Teeth with cavities |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years | 5–15 years, depending on type of material |
This table provides a comparison of dental sealants and dental fillings.
How We Assess Your Child’s Dental Needs
At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco, we take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to your child’s oral health. Every visit begins with a gentle exam and, when needed, digital X-rays to check for early signs of tooth decay.
If the tooth surface is healthy and free of cavities, we may recommend dental sealants as part of a preventative care plan. Sealants help protect hard-to-clean areas from decay before it starts.
If decay is already present, a filling becomes necessary to restore the tooth’s structure and function. In that case, we’ll talk through the available filling materials and what’s most appropriate based on the location and severity of the cavity.
We also use this time to review:
- Smart snacking habits to reduce cavity risk
- Brushing and flossing techniques to support daily oral hygiene
- When sealants might need to be reapplied
- How regular checkups help us monitor dental development
Our goal is to support your child’s dental health with the right care at the right time — whether that’s protection against future problems or restoring a tooth that’s already been affected.
Book Your Child’s Dental Appointment in Frisco
Whether your child needs a dental sealant or a filling, we are here to help. Our caring team at Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco offers preventive treatments and restorative care using a wide variety of materials suited for growing smiles.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, call (214) 618-5200 or visit us at 6801 Warren Parkway, Ste 115, Frisco, TX.
📍Other locations
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in McKinney, TX
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TX
FAQs About Dental Sealants and Fillings
Sealants are mainly used for kids because they’re most effective on newly erupted, cavity-free molars. By adulthood, many teeth already have some wear, decay, or dental work, making sealants less useful or appropriate.
Dental sealants last for several years but can wear down over time, especially with chewing and eating habits. During regular checkups, your dentist will check the sealants and reapply them if needed to keep protecting your child’s teeth.
Dental sealants are a simple and effective way to protect teeth from cavities. While they may naturally wear down over time, this is expected and can be monitored during routine dental visits. As long as they’re applied to healthy teeth, sealants are a safe, preventive option with no real drawbacks.
Dental sealants are a preventive measure, while fillings are a restorative treatment. Sealants are best for preventing the risk of tooth decay; fillings are necessary when decay has already caused damage.