Why choose us
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Protects Chewing Surfaces
A thin protective coating seals the deep grooves of back teeth where food and bacteria tend to hide.
Quick and Comfortable
Applying sealants is gentle and typically involves no drilling or numbing.
Great for Kids
We see children from age 2, and parents are welcome to stay in the treatment room.
Fits Your Routine Care
Sealants pair naturally with your regular cleanings and exams as part of our preventive dentistry.
Flexible Payment Options
We welcome self-pay patients, offer CareCredit financing, and file out-of-network claims on your behalf.
Most cavities in children and teens don't start on smooth surfaces. They start in the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where food and bacteria settle into spaces too narrow for toothbrush bristles to reach. Dental sealants are a simple, preventive way to close off those grooves. At Valley Dental Care in Mayfield, we place them as part of our everyday preventive and family dentistry for patients from Gloversville, Northville, Broadalbin, and the surrounding area.
A sealant is a thin protective coating that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. These back teeth do most of the work of grinding food. Their natural pits and fissures can be deep enough to trap particles even in a child who brushes well. Once a sealant bonds to the tooth, it smooths over those grooves, giving bacteria fewer places to hide and making the surface easier to keep clean.
The process is quick and comfortable. It doesn't require drilling or numbing, which makes it a good fit for younger patients who may still be getting used to the dental chair. Because we see patients from age two and up, sealants often come up naturally during routine exams and cleanings. Our hygienist and dentists can look at each tooth's shape and condition and talk with you about whether sealing it makes sense.
Families ask about sealants for different reasons, and the right timing depends on the patient. Common situations include:
- A child whose permanent molars have recently come in and have deep grooves
- A teenager whose new back teeth are erupting, or who has a history of cavities in neighboring teeth
- A child who finds thorough brushing of the back teeth difficult, including children with special healthcare needs
- An adult whose molars have deep fissures but no decay or fillings on those surfaces
Children are the most common candidates, but sealants aren't limited to kids. What matters most is the condition of the tooth surface. A sealant works best on a healthy chewing surface with no existing decay or filling. If we find early decay during an exam, we'll explain your options, which may include a filling or composite bonding instead.
Parents are welcome to stay in the treatment room with their children, and many find it reassuring to watch how simple the process is. For children with special healthcare needs, we take the time to go at a comfortable pace and adjust our approach to what works best for your child.
Caring for Sealants and What to Expect Over Time
Sealants need very little special care. Patients can usually eat and drink normally soon after their visit. Daily habits stay the same: brushing twice a day, flossing between teeth, and limiting sugary snacks and drinks. A sealant protects the chewing surface, but it doesn't cover the sides of teeth or the spaces between them. Good home care and regular cleanings remain essential.
At each routine exam, we check the sealants for wear or chipping. Chewing forces wear them down gradually, and hard habits like chewing ice or pens can speed that along. If a sealant shows wear, we can often touch it up or reapply it at a regular visit. Ongoing checkups are also our chance to make sure the sealed surfaces stay healthy and to catch anything new early.
Sealants work best as one piece of a larger preventive routine. For many families, that routine also includes professional cleanings, exams, and guidance on brushing and diet. Our goal is to help your child build habits that protect their smile for years.
Payment, Insurance, and Financing
Valley Dental Care is an out-of-network office, so we don't participate in insurance plans directly. We do file claims on your behalf so you can use any out-of-network benefits your plan provides. Many dental plans treat sealants as preventive care, but coverage varies. We recommend checking your plan's details for age limits or other conditions.
We welcome self-pay patients and are happy to go over costs before treatment so there are no surprises. For families who want to spread out payments, we accept CareCredit financing. This can be helpful when several children are due for sealants around the same time, or when sealants are scheduled alongside other care.
Schedule a Sealant Visit With Our Team
If your child has new permanent molars coming in, or you'd like to know whether your own back teeth could benefit from sealants, the easiest first step is a routine exam. Dr. Gregory Liberatore and Dr. Jonathan Montag, along with our hygienist and the rest of our team, will look closely at each tooth and recommend only what fits your situation.
We see patients of all ages from Mayfield, Amsterdam, Speculator, and nearby communities, and we work hard to keep every visit gentle, personal, and unhurried. Call our office to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping your family keep their smiles healthy.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Exam and Evaluation
We check your teeth to see whether sealants are a good fit for you or your child.
- 2
Gentle Application
We clean and prepare each tooth, then paint on the sealant and set it in place.
- 3
Ongoing Checkups
At your regular visits, we check your sealants and make sure they are still protecting your teeth.