maddykate Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Are sealants for my dc's teeth worth it? The dentist recommended them for my kids teeth, but I wonder if it is worth the money. $8.00 per tooth for 4 kiddos. They are only doing the back molars, but it would still be an expensive trip to the dentist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie in VA Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 We decided not to get sealants for our kids. The cost was one factor, but not the deciding one. For one thing, both sides of the family seem to have a low incidence of cavities (dh - zero, me - one). For another thing, our water has a higher-than-normal fluoride level. While we don't use our tap water for drinking, we figured that the kids are getting enough fluoride through cooking water that we didn't have to worry so much about cavities. Of course, we try to enforce good brushing / flossing / Listerine habits, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 My youngest seemed quite prone to cavities, we opted to seal. No regrets here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 My youngest seemed quite prone to cavities, we opted to seal. No regrets here... Us too! My two oldest never had a single cavity in their molars...kids don't brush all that thoroughly and to know the sealant is there protecting all the little nooks back there was good peace of mind. When the little guy gets his molars in we'll do his as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 DH and I both had sealants as kids, as did our eldest. I didn't have a cavity till my late 30s. We are debating the same question, so I'm going to watch this thread. One more factor to consider: while I think the cost is reasonable, considering the potential cost of cavities (and some people are prone to them)... For our younger kiddos we are concerned about the materials in the sealant. We are *hoping* to find a BPA free sealant. [Any leads here would be appreciated :)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I had them done for the kids. It's a LOT less traumatic than having a filling later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I'd do it-$8 is a steal imo. I paid $40/tooth for my oldest and that was with insurance! Our new policy now covers it...:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 We chose to do it. Our child had deeper grooves in his molars and I'm cavity prone. Eight dollars a tooth is very cheap compared to a bit over $40 for our child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeBeaks Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I paid a lot more than that per tooth for my kids. I grew up without dental work let alone sealants. My teeth as a teen/adult (all paid for myself) required fillings in nearly every molar. I so much wish my parents would have sealed my teeth. I'm now nearing 40 and facing crowns on all those teeth as the fillings from my teens are cracking and needing replacements. My DH had sealants as a kid. His first cavity was in his mid 30s. That is what I want for my kids. Maybe his family just has better teeth, but still then my kids have a 50/50 as all my family has loads of fillings no matter how much we brush, floss and swish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Absolutely do it IMHO. Kids tend to have even deeper grooves in their teeth than adults since the teeth haven't worn down yet. Combine with marginal brushing habits, and you've got cavities. Most dentists also replace lost sealants for free, so it is a one time expense. It's a no brainer to me even at much more than $8 per tooth. Much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 $128 is much less expensive than even one filling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 We didn't do it with my older kids. They weren't cavity-prone. Plus, at the time they were recommended, the composite had BPA in it. My oldest had one cavity. My middle had a couple cavities on a front tooth that was malformed. Dd had sealants because she was more cavity-prone - just softer teeth. Also, this was later when BPA was supposedly removed from the composite. It seems that every dentist recommends them to every patient regardless of need. It seems like a big money-maker to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyinND Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I had sealants as a kid & have never had a cavity, so when they recommended it for my daughter I didn't hesitate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennsmile Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Small Cavities run $110 per tooth. Crowns $1000 or more...ask how I know....We are cavity prone here. We get sealants. Perhaps you could spread it out one kid per month or something. Choose the kid most likely to need it first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 We did it for 3 children! It's worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 We decided not to do sealants. I don't think they are necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 8$ per tooth? No question. That is a steal. I paid much, much more for sealants with DS 1. But, it was still less than paying for a cavity. With ds2, the dentist offered sealants for free, so guess it all balanced out. But 8 bucks per tooth is a no brainer. There is a charge for a cavity drilling and a charge per tooth surface that they have to drill. Even if the sealants don't prevent a cavity it will likely reduce the number of surfaces involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 One more factor to consider: while I think the cost is reasonable, considering the potential cost of cavities (and some people are prone to them)... For our younger kiddos we are concerned about the materials in the sealant. We are *hoping* to find a BPA free sealant. [Any leads here would be appreciated :)] Our pediatric dentist uses only BPA-free sealants, but we pay substantially more than $8 per tooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 It seems that every dentist recommends them to every patient regardless of need. It seems like a big money-maker to me. Our oldest son went to the dentist today -- a new one that I went to for the first time last week. I liked him well enough based on my experience , but my respect for him and his practice grew today when my son came home and reported that they didn't do sealants on any of his teeth. Not that we would have minded had they suggested it, but they said he had nicely-shaped molars and that sealants weren't necessary in his case. This was my concern, too, that they would want to do all of the molars on all of the kids just because. So glad to have had that good news today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Our dentists don't recommend them anymore, they say that as long as you are having their cleanings every 6 months they are just a money maker and can do more harm than good. I had them as an adult (the only time I saw a different dentist in my life) and have been told that as they wear they make you more prone to cavities. I had to have a crown on one of those sealed teeth so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We do them. Worth every penny, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 we did them. the only cavity we have had is the one tooth the sealant fell out of!!! and the price is really good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Are sealants for my dc's teeth worth it? The dentist recommended them for my kids teeth, but I wonder if it is worth the money. $8.00 per tooth for 4 kiddos. They are only doing the back molars, but it would still be an expensive trip to the dentist. it's cheaper than fillings - and molars frequently end up with cavities because of all the nooks and crannies. my older kids never needed fillings in their molars - because of the sealants. You can always space out when each child has theirs done so it isn't all at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 I'm wondering if the OP meant $80/tooth or perhaps their co-pay is $8/tooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Both kids had them, and I'd do it again. In a heartbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuckoomamma Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 We don't because of the BPA. Have heard there are problems with the non-BPA ones, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddykate Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 Thank you all for your replies! We go back to the dentist tomorrow, so I need to make up my mind :) With my co-pay, it is only $8.00, so after hearing from some of you, I am very thankful that it is that reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Our dentist recommends sealants on a tooth by tooth basis. You don't have to do *all* the molars on *all* the kids just the ones that look like they are deep or the kids that are prone to decay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Our dentists don't recommend them anymore, they say that as long as you are having their cleanings every 6 months they are just a money maker and can do more harm than good. I had them as an adult (the only time I saw a different dentist in my life) and have been told that as they wear they make you more prone to cavities. I had to have a crown on one of those sealed teeth so far. When I asked about sealants, our dentist told us the same thing. He said that the regular cleanings kept up on any problems and from what I remember, the problems he'd seen with sealants were if one came only partly loose, that it collected gunk unawares and developed into a much worse problem. That said, I had sealants done on my back molars during college, due to very deep grooves. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 my ds doesn't brush as well as he should.....and thankfully our insurance covered it....so we did it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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