Sealants & Fillings
Sealants and Fillings at Battlefield Family Dentistry
One protects a healthy tooth. The other repairs a tooth that already has decay. Here is how to know which one you need.
Sealants and fillings often get grouped together, but they do opposite jobs. A sealant is prevention. A filling is repair. Both are quick, routine, and something we handle every day.
What’s the difference between a sealant and a filling?
A dental sealant is a thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surface of a healthy back tooth to keep cavities from forming. A filling repairs a tooth that already has decay by removing the damaged part and rebuilding it with a tooth-colored material. Sealants prevent. Fillings restore.
Dental sealants: Stopping cavities before they start
The back teeth have deep grooves that a toothbrush may have trouble reaching, and that is where most cavities begin. A sealant seals off those grooves so food and bacteria can't settle in.
Sealants are most common for children and teens as their permanent molars come in, but adults with deep grooves and no decay can benefit too. Applying one takes only a few minutes, there is no drilling, and no numbing is needed.
Fillings: Repairing decay
When a cavity has already formed, a filling is how we fix it. We remove the decayed part of the tooth and rebuild it with a tooth-colored material that blends in, so no one can tell you had work done.
Most fillings are done in a single visit. We make sure the area is fully numb first, and we check your bite before you leave so the tooth feels normal when you chew.
“I came in yesterday for three fillings and I was honestly impressed. The dentist was gentle, explained everything clearly, and made the whole process painless.”
-Raelan S., Google review
-Raelan S., Google review
What it costs
If you have dental insurance, we file your claim for you, and preventive sealants are often covered for kids.
No insurance? Our in-house dental plan starts at $36 a month and includes 20% off treatment like fillings and sealants, on top of your covered cleanings and exams. We'll go over the cost with you before we start.
See Our In-House Plan $36/mo
Includes 20% off fillings and sealants
No insurance? Our in-house dental plan provides discounts on care and starts at just $36 per month — so cost doesn't keep you from the smile you've been picturing.
Not sure which one you need? Maybe it’s both
That is exactly what a checkup is for. Come in and we'll take a look, show you what we see, and tell you honestly whether a tooth needs repair or just protection.
Request an Appointment (757) 529-2733