La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
Why choose us
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Protects Chewing Surfaces
A thin protective coating seals the deep grooves of back teeth where food and plaque tend to collect.
Quick, Gentle Visit
Sealants are painted on and set without needles or drilling, so most kids handle the visit with ease.
Great for Growing Smiles
We see children from age 2 at all four of our Coulee Region offices, so sealants fit naturally into regular checkups.
Part of Preventive Care
Sealants work alongside cleanings, exams and fluoride treatment to help keep teeth healthy between visits.
Comfort Built In
The Ascent Experience means warm towelettes, blankets and headphones are there to help your family relax.
Most cavities in kids and teens start in the same place: the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where a toothbrush bristle often can't reach. At Rivertown Dental, serving families across Wisconsin's Coulee Region from our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices, we use dental sealants to help protect those hard-to-clean spots. Sealants are a quick preventive step that often fits into a routine cleaning and exam visit.
A dental sealant is a thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, usually the molars and premolars. These teeth have natural pits and fissures that can trap food and plaque even in a child who brushes well. The sealant flows into those grooves and hardens, creating a smoother surface that is easier to keep clean.
Sealants are part of our broader preventive dentistry care, alongside cleanings, exams and fluoride treatment. They don't replace brushing or flossing. They add another layer of protection to the surfaces where decay tends to begin. Because we see patients of all ages, including children from age 2, we can watch for the right time to seal each tooth as it comes in.
Children are the most common candidates, and timing matters. Permanent back teeth usually come in during the early school years and again around the preteen years. Sealing them soon after they erupt helps protect them during the years when kids are still building good brushing habits. Our dentists and hygienists check new molars at regular visits and let you know when a tooth is ready.
Adults can benefit too. If you have deep grooves on your back teeth and no decay or fillings on those surfaces, a sealant may make sense. We look at each tooth individually. A tooth that already has a cavity needs treatment, such as a dental filling, rather than a sealant, so an exam always comes first.
Who is a good candidate for sealants?
A good candidate is someone with healthy back teeth that have deep pits or grooves. In practice, that covers a range of situations we see every week:
- A first-grader whose first permanent molars have just come in
- A preteen getting their second set of permanent molars
- A teenager in braces or a busy sports season who has a harder time brushing thoroughly
- An adult with naturally deep grooves and no existing fillings on those surfaces
If you're unsure whether you or your child is a candidate, ask at your next cleaning. We'll explain what we see on your digital X-rays and in the exam, and we'll give you a straightforward recommendation without any pressure.
How do I care for sealants, and how long do they last?
Caring for sealed teeth is simple: keep brushing twice a day, floss daily and keep up with your regular checkups. You can usually eat and drink normally right after your visit. Sealants are not a reason to skip any part of your home routine, since they protect only the chewing surfaces and not the spaces between teeth.
Sealants can wear down over time, and how long they last varies from person to person. That's why we check them at every routine exam. If one is worn or chipped, we can often touch it up or reapply it. Chewing ice or hard objects can put extra stress on sealants, so it helps to avoid those habits.
How can I pay for dental sealants?
We work with many dental insurance plans, and sealants are often treated as preventive care. Coverage varies by plan, so please call your office to confirm your benefits before your visit. We also welcome self-pay patients.
If you don't have insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, are worth a look. The Classic, Deluxe and Kids plans include cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment. These plans can't be combined with insurance. For patients who want to spread out costs, we offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance, subject to each lender's approval and qualification terms. Our team is happy to walk you through the options and give you a clear estimate before any treatment.
Protecting your family's teeth starts with a simple visit. Call the Rivertown Dental office closest to you in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua to schedule a cleaning and exam, and ask us whether sealants are a good fit. We look forward to seeing you. Dentistry, Done Differently.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam and Cleaning
Our team checks your child's teeth and cleans the surfaces that will be sealed.
- 2
Sealant Application
We paint the sealant into the grooves of the back teeth and set it in place.
- 3
Checkups Going Forward
At regular visits we check the sealants and keep an eye on your child's growing smile.
Questions
Dental Sealants FAQs
Does insurance cover dental sealants at Rivertown Dental?
Many dental insurance plans include coverage for sealants, but benefits vary from plan to plan, so the best step is to call your nearest Rivertown Dental office in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua to confirm. We work with many dental insurance plans and are glad to help you understand your benefits before treatment. If you do not have insurance, we accept self-pay patients and offer the Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, with Classic, Deluxe and Kids options.
Do dental sealants hurt?
Getting sealants is typically a comfortable visit with no needles or drilling involved. We gently clean the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, paint on the sealant and set it in place. Through The Ascent Experience, we also offer comforts like warm towelettes, blankets, headphones and essential oils to help kids and adults relax in the chair.
How long does it take to get sealants?
Sealants are usually a quick appointment, and they can often be placed during the same visit as a routine cleaning and exam. The exact time depends on how many teeth are being sealed. Our team will walk you through each step so you know what to expect.
Is there any recovery time after sealants, and how long do they last?
There is no recovery time after sealants, so you or your child can eat and get back to the day's plans right after the visit. Sealants can last for years, though they can wear down over time. We check them at your regular exams and can touch them up when needed.
Who is a good candidate for dental sealants?
Sealants are most often recommended for children once their back teeth come in, though some adults can benefit too. We see patients of all ages, including children from age 2, at our offices across the Coulee Region, and we will let you know at your exam whether sealants make sense. They work best alongside other preventive care like regular cleanings and fluoride treatment, which we also provide.