Sealants
Protect your back teeth from cavity-causing bacteria with fast, painless dental sealants. Luminara Dental provides this highly effective preventative treatment for children and adults across Stittsville, Kanata, and West Ottawa to keep smiles healthy and cavity-free.
Shield your teeth against cavities
The chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars and premolars) are naturally filled with deep grooves and tiny pits. These microscopic crevices are perfect hiding spots for plaque and leftover food particles, making them incredibly difficult to clean thoroughly with a toothbrush alone.
A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating painted directly over these vulnerable areas. At Luminara Dental, we use sealants to create a smooth, easy-to-clean surface that physically blocks out the bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay, keeping your natural enamel perfectly intact.
Why are dental sealants so effective?
Applying a sealant is one of the most proactive and conservative steps you can take to protect your oral health. The benefits include:
- Blocks 80% of cavities: Sealants are proven to prevent the vast majority of cavities that occur in the deep grooves of the back teeth.
- Completely invisible: The clear or tooth-colored coating blends seamlessly with your natural enamel, meaning no one will know it is there.
- Saves time and money: Preventing a cavity today saves you from needing more expensive and invasive restorative treatments, like fillings or crowns, in the future.
- Long-lasting protection: Sealants are remarkably durable. They can withstand the heavy forces of daily chewing and protect your teeth for several years.
Proactive care for families in Stittsville and West Ottawa
We highly recommend dental sealants for children and teenagers as soon as their permanent molars erupt (typically around ages 6 and 12). By protecting these teeth early, we can help them navigate their most cavity-prone years with a healthy, complete smile.
However, sealants are not just for kids! Adults in Stittsville, Kanata, and Richmond who do not have existing decay or fillings in their molars can also greatly benefit from this preventative shield, especially those who are naturally prone to cavities. For maximum enamel protection, we often pair sealants with a professional fluoride treatment.
The application process: Fast and comfortable
Getting a sealant at our clinic is entirely painless, requires no drilling or numbing, and takes only a few minutes per tooth. It is easily completed during a routine hygiene recall visit:
- Cleaning: The tooth is thoroughly cleaned and dried to ensure no bacteria are trapped underneath the sealant.
- Preparation: A gentle conditioning gel is applied to the chewing surface to slightly roughen the enamel microscopically, which helps the sealant form a strong, permanent bond.
- Application: The tooth is rinsed and dried again, and the liquid sealant is carefully painted into the deep grooves.
- Curing: We use a specialized UV light to instantly harden the sealant into a durable, protective shield.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does it hurt to get a sealant?
Not at all. The process is completely non-invasive. There are no needles, no drills, and absolutely no pain. It is one of the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable preventative procedures we offer at our clinic.
How long do dental sealants last?
Sealants can protect your teeth for up to 10 years with proper care, though they typically last between 3 to 5 years before natural wear occurs. During your routine checkups, our dental team will check the condition of your sealants and can easily touch them up or reapply them if they show signs of wearing thin.
Can I eat normally after getting sealants?
Yes. Because we use a curing light to instantly harden the material, you can eat and drink normally as soon as you leave our office. However, we always recommend avoiding chewing on ice or hard candies, as this can chip the sealant (and fracture your natural teeth).
Want to protect your family's smiles from cavities? Book an appointment with our Stittsville preventative dental team today.
Check other dental care treatments
Maintenance
The quiet, preventive work that keeps dentistry simple — steady hygiene and protection over time.
Repair
Restoring form, comfort and strength when a tooth has been worn, decayed, fractured or lost.
Transformation
Cosmetic dentistry shaped around your face and proportions — natural first, always.
Ready to Meet Our Team?
Book your appointment today and experience the Greely Family Dental Care difference.
Asked and answered.
The things people ask on the phone before they book — written out properly, so you don't have to ask them.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes — new patients of every age are welcome, and we're taking bookings now. Call (613) 836-1333 or email the office and we'll find you a time, usually within the same week.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- Your insurance details, if you have coverage
- A list of any medications and supplements you take
- Recent x-rays from a previous dentist, if you can get them sent over
- Anything you've been worrying about, written down — people forget once they're in the chair
If you don't have any of it, come anyway. We'll sort it out from here.
How long does a first appointment take?
Plan for about an hour. That covers a full exam, any x-rays we need, a periodontal check, an oral cancer screening, and time to actually talk through what we found. If a cleaning fits the same day, we'll do it — otherwise we'll book it close by.
Do you see children?
We do, and we're glad to book families together. A first visit for a young child is short and mostly about them getting comfortable in the room — counting teeth, looking at the tools, sitting in the chair. Nothing happens that we haven't explained to them first.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept most traditional insurance plans — call the office and we'll confirm yours specifically. Our staff verifies your coverage, submits pre-estimates where it's useful to know the number in advance, and files your claims so you're reimbursed.One thing worth understanding: your policy is a contract between you and your insurer, not between us and them. We'll do everything we can to maximise what you get back, but the terms are theirs.
Will I know the cost before treatment starts?
Always. You get the options and the costs in writing, with your insurance portion estimated, before anything begins. If we find something unexpected mid-treatment, we stop and talk to you rather than carrying on and adding it to the bill.
How can I pay?
Cheque, cash, or major credit cards. You can also call the office to make a payment or to talk through your options if the timing is difficult — it's a conversation we have often and there's no awkwardness in it.
What if I have no insurance at all?
You're just as welcome. We'll give you the full cost up front and, where there's more than one clinically sound way to treat something, we'll tell you what each one costs and let you decide. Plenty of our patients pay out of pocket.