New Hanover County · Since 1987
Dental Sealants in Kure Beach, NC
A sealant is a thin coating over the grooves of a back tooth. It takes a few minutes per tooth, needs no drilling, and prevents most of the cavities children get.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
sealants, explained
The chewing surfaces of molars have grooves narrower than a toothbrush bristle. Food and bacteria get in, the brush does not, and that is where the majority of childhood decay starts.
What we see from Kure Beach
Kure Beach has the oldest resident profile in New Hanover County. A third of the town is 65 or older, and barely one in ten residents is under 18.
Dry mouth from blood pressure and cholesterol medication is the quiet driver of decay in this age group, and it produces cavities on root surfaces that have never had a problem before. A shorter recall interval catches those while they are still small.
Fort Fisher and the aquarium bring the visitors; the year-round community is small, settled and largely retired.
Thirty-two minutes each way is the reason we plan Kure Beach treatment in as few appointments as the clinical work allows.
The dental needs here skew heavily toward restorative and prosthetic work rather than preventive care for children.
We see patients from across Kure Beach and the surrounding area, including the Kure Beach Pier, Fort Fisher, the NC Aquarium and the 28449 ZIP code.
New Hanover County is the built-out core of the region, growing around one percent a year, with roughly 21 percent of residents over 65 and the highest concentration of employer dental coverage in southeastern North Carolina.
A shorter recall interval is usually the right call at this stage, because medication-related dry mouth changes decay risk faster than most people expect.
We plan restorative treatment in as few visits as the work allows, because thirty-two minutes each way adds up fast.
You may be a candidate if
- Children whose six-year or twelve-year molars have just erupted
- Deep grooves in molars that trap food
- A history of cavities in the family
- Adults with unrestored molars and deep anatomy
- Anyone at higher decay risk from medication-related dry mouth
Your treatment, start to finish
- Check the toothSealants go over healthy grooves. If there is already decay, it needs a filling instead.
- Clean and prepareThe surface is cleaned and conditioned. No drill, no injection.
- Apply and cureThe sealant flows into the grooves and is set with a light.
- Check the biteA quick adjustment so it does not feel high.
Afterwards
Eat and drink normally straight away. We check sealants at every hygiene visit and repair them if they chip, which is quick and often included.
If getting to follow-up visits is difficult, tell us. We can often combine checks into fewer, longer appointments.
What it costs
Most dental plans cover sealants for children on permanent molars, frequently at 100 percent. A sealant costs a fraction of what a filling on the same tooth costs later.
If you are on Medicare, note that it does not cover routine dental treatment. Many supplement plans include a limited dental benefit with an annual cap, and we will check yours before quoting anything.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger
Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.
Questions we get asked
Do sealants contain BPA?
Modern dental sealants are not made from BPA. Trace exposure at application is far below any level of concern, and it is a fair question to ask us at the appointment.
Can adults get sealants?
Yes, if the grooves are deep and the tooth has never been filled.
How far is your office from Kure Beach?
About 18 miles, or roughly 32 minutes via US-421 North the length of Pleasure Island. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Kure Beach?
Regularly. Kure Beach is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and we plan restorative treatment in as few visits as the work allows, because thirty-two minutes each way adds up fast.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Dental Sealants · Kure Beach, NC
One trip. Everybody seen.
We block consecutive appointments so a family visit is one morning rather than three separate afternoons.
- General, cosmetic, orthodontic and surgical care under one roof
- Consecutive family scheduling on request
- Sealants and preventive care for children
- Most major dental plans accepted
Nervous child? Tell us before the appointment and we will slow the whole thing down.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
