How long do dental sealants last?

Dental sealants typically last between 5 and 10 years with proper care. During your regular visits at Gleem Dental, Dr. Greene will check the condition of your sealants and recommend reapplication if they have worn down or chipped.

Are sealants covered by dental insurance?

Many dental insurance plans cover sealants, especially for children and teenagers, often at 80–100 percent. Gleem Dental accepts a wide range of major insurance carriers, and our team can verify your specific coverage before your appointment.

Do sealants work on teeth that already have cavities?

Sealants are designed to prevent new cavities, not treat existing ones. If a tooth already has decay, Dr. Greene will recommend the appropriate restorative treatment, such as a tooth-colored filling, before considering sealants for other teeth.

What happens if I skip sealants — can't I just brush more carefully?

Even the most thorough brushing can miss the deep grooves on molars where food and bacteria hide. Sealants create a smooth, protective barrier over those hard-to-reach areas, giving you an extra layer of defense that brushing alone cannot provide.

General & Preventive • New Orleans

Dental Sealants in New Orleans

Some of the most cavity-prone spots in your mouth are the deep grooves of your back teeth — and sealants protect exactly those. At Gleem Dental in Lakeview, this quick, painless treatment seals out decay before it can start. New patients are always welcome, and we accept most major insurance plans.

Book Appointment (504) 553-1393

Quick & Painless

No Drilling

Great for Kids & Adults

Most Insurance Accepted

◦ Prevention Made Simple

A raincoat
for your teeth.

The chewing surfaces of your molars are full of tiny grooves that a toothbrush can't fully reach. Sealants smooth those grooves over with a protective coating, so food and bacteria have nowhere to hide.

What They Are

A Thin, Protective Shield

A sealant is a thin resin coating painted onto the grooves of molars and premolars. It bonds to the enamel and hardens into a smooth barrier that seals out the food and bacteria responsible for cavities.

Why Sealants Work:

They seal the deep grooves brushing can't fully clean
Applied in minutes with no drilling and no discomfort
Protect each treated tooth for several years

Who Benefits

Ideal for Kids — and Many Adults

Sealants are most valuable for children and teens as their permanent molars erupt and cavity risk is highest. But adults with deep grooves and no existing decay can benefit just as much.

Sealants Are a Great Fit For:

Children and teens with newly erupted molars
Adults with deep grooves and cavity-free back teeth
Anyone building a strong preventive routine

◦ Prevention vs. Repair

Sealants vs.
fillings.

The two are often confused, but they do very different jobs. A sealant protects a healthy tooth; a filling repairs one that already has decay. The goal of sealants is to help you avoid fillings altogether.

Feature	Sealants	Fillings
Purpose	Prevents decay before it starts	Repairs a tooth after decay has formed
When it's used	On healthy molars with deep grooves	On teeth that already have a cavity
The procedure	A thin resin coating, no drilling	Removing decay, then filling the space
Comfort	Painless, no anesthesia needed	Usually requires numbing
Best thought of as	A raincoat for your teeth	A patch for damage already done

◦ The Gleem Difference

Why sealants here just make sense.

Simple, proactive, and easy on everyone. Here's what makes preventive care at Gleem different.

Stopping Cavities Early.

Sealants shield the grooves where decay most often begins. It's simple, proactive care that can spare you fillings — and the cost and time they involve — down the road.

01 / PREVENTION

Nothing to Dread.

There's no drilling, no needles, and no discomfort. Sealants are painted on and cured in minutes, which makes them ideal for anxious patients and children alike.

02 / COMFORT

Smart, Lasting Protection.

A sealant can protect a tooth for several years and is far less involved than treating a cavity later. Dr. Greene checks them at every visit and refreshes them as needed.

03 / VALUE

◦ Meet the doctor

An artist's eye.
A clinician's precision.

Dr. Caylin Greene earned her DDS from Howard University College of Dentistry in 2016 and brings more than 10 years of experience to her patients. In 2025 she founded Gleem to bring elevated, comprehensive cosmetic care to Lakeview — with advanced training in Invisalign and a quiet obsession with proportion, light, and facial harmony.

Education

Howard University, DDS

Experience

10+ years

Specialties

Invisalign · Cosmetic

Meet Dr. Greene Explore Services

Founder

Dr. Caylin Greene,
DDS

◦ Your Visit

What to expect when you get sealants.

The entire process is quick, comfortable, and drill-free. Here's how it unfolds.

Evaluate

Dr. Greene identifies molars and premolars with deep grooves that would benefit most from a protective sealant.

Clean & Prep

We thoroughly clean and dry the tooth, then apply a gentle etching gel so the sealant bonds securely to the enamel.

Apply & Cure

The liquid resin is painted into the grooves and hardened with a curing light in seconds — no drilling and no discomfort.

Check the Bite

We confirm the sealant feels smooth and comfortable, then monitor it at future visits and touch it up whenever needed.

◦ Frequently asked

Questions,
answered.

What exactly is a dental sealant?

A dental sealant is a thin, protective resin coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. It flows into the deep grooves and pits where food and bacteria collect, then hardens to form a smooth barrier that seals decay out — like a raincoat for your molars.

Is getting a sealant painful?

Not at all. Applying a sealant is quick and completely painless. There's no drilling and no anesthesia involved — we simply clean the tooth, apply the resin, and harden it with a light. Most patients are surprised by how fast and easy it is.

Are sealants just for children?

Sealants are especially valuable for children and teens as their permanent molars come in, which is why they pair so well with a kid-friendly dental visit. That said, adults with deep grooves and no decay can benefit too. Dr. Greene will let you know if sealants make sense for you.

How long do sealants last, and do they replace other prevention?

Sealants typically last several years and are checked at each visit, so we can refresh them if they chip or wear. They work best alongside other preventive care — including fluoride treatments, brushing, and regular cleanings — not as a replacement for them.

Do you accept insurance for sealants?

Yes. Many dental plans cover sealants, particularly for children, and we'll verify your benefits before treatment. We also offer flexible options for patients without insurance. See our Insurance & Financing page for details.

◦ Begin

Dentistry that's
designed around you.

Whether it's a routine cleaning or a complete Invisalign journey, your first visit is the easy part. We'll handle the rest.

Book Your Visit (504) 553-1393