Brunswick County · Since 1987
Dental Sealants in Leland, 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
What to know about sealants
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.
This treatment in Leland
Leland is the fastest-growing town in the fastest-growing county in North Carolina, and roughly a third of residents are 65 or older.
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.
Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens and Waterford between them account for a large share of the town's households, and most of them are new construction.
The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is the whole conversation for Leland patients, and we are the first practice on the Wilmington side of it.
Half of Leland arrived in the last decade, which means a lot of our new patients here are transferring records from another state rather than another practice.
We see patients from across Leland and the surrounding area, including Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens and the 28451 and 28479 ZIP codes.
Brunswick County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the sixth fastest in the country, up about a quarter since 2020, and 35 percent of residents are 65 or older. That combination, rapid in-migration and an older population, is why so much of our Brunswick caseload is restorative.
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 are the first dental practice across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, which makes us closer to most of Leland than anything on the Brunswick side of the river.
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
The sequence of appointments
- 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 Leland?
About 9 miles, or roughly 18 minutes via US-74/76 East over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Leland?
Regularly. Leland is part of our core service area in Brunswick County, and we are the first dental practice across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, which makes us closer to most of Leland than anything on the Brunswick side of the river.
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 · Leland, 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.
