Everything that You Need to Know About Pediatric Dental Fillings

Most people don't know if youngsters can have dental fillings. Your child's filling can be stressful and discouraging. You may question your parenting skills and worry if you've done anything wrong. If your youngster needs this dental procedure, don't worry. Research has shown that up to sixty percent of children under twelve need fillings, and pediatric dental filling is a common practice.

Fillings are an essential choice for pediatric dental treatment. Dental fillings are a composite material designed to bind to your child's teeth and fill a cleaned-out cavity, preventing further deterioration. We'll assist you in navigating through your options and acquiring as much information as possible on dental fillings for your child.

Common Types of Dental Fillings for Children

Pediatric dental filling has perks and downsides. Most adults who need fillings didn't receive sealants as youngsters and got cavities. Dental fillings for children's permanent teeth strongly bond with the enamel, protecting holes even during heavy chewing or grinding. After removing the decay, teeth need amalgam, ceramic, composite resin, or Glass Ionomer Fillings.

1. Amalgams Fillings - Traditional fillings, called amalgams, are made from metal alloys, including tin, silver, copper, and zinc, which produce a solid and long-lasting bond between teeth. Such fillings are the most cost-effective and can endure for over ten years, making them an excellent option for children with strong biting forces. Although certain brands of amalgam fillings include trace quantities of mercury, the amounts are too low to create health problems.
2. Ceramic Fillings - Ceramic or porcelain fillings are stain-resistant and highly aesthetically pleasing while being a very discreet alternative. These fillings are a more costly alternative to composite resin fillings for kids' teeth, and they don't last as long, either.
3. Composite Resin Fillings - Composite fillings contain acrylic powder and resins. Tinted to look like your child's natural teeth, they have a smooth gloss. Some dental offices give red and blue options for kids to make tooth cleaning more fun.
4. Glass Ionomer Fillings - Fillings made of glass ionomer, like composites, are safe for use in children's teeth. As baby teeth develop into adults, the filling will be capable of safeguarding them from tooth decay. These fillings have about 5 to 7 years, making them a perfect option for kids who need a short-term solution.

Preparing your child for dental fillings

When the dentist sprays the water into the kid's mouth and all over their teeth, they may continue to experience a peculiar sensation. In most cases, it is necessary to numb beforehand to ensure the child's comfort during the treatment. Consequently, individuals are likely to have less pain both while having a filling placed and while having the fillings prepared.

To properly prepare your child for the surgery, you must review everything this post covers. The procedure as a whole is brief and, for the most part, painless. The sensitivity will progressively reduce with time, but it will take around two weeks, on average, to begin to lessen.

Pediatric dental filling procedure

Children are welcome to come for an examination and cleaning before filling cavities. Before beginning any treatment, the doctor will give the patient a few minutes to look about and relax in the examination chair. Dentists have other tools, even if this doesn't help put the child at ease.

Oral sedation or laughing gas will relieve and calm the child's nervousness. An anesthetic will numb the gum tissue and bone around the tooth. After that, it will be easy to get rid of the decay and put in the filling. As the tooth takes shape, a unique blue light is put on top, instantly reinforcing the hardness. Lastly, more changes occur if the kid thinks the tooth isn't the right shape or has trouble biting.

Wrapping up

If your kid needs fillings, don't freak out. After all, many children all over the world suffer from cavities. As a parent, your best bet is to instill good dental hygiene practices that reduce the likelihood of cavities.

Untreated cavities in a child's mouth can lead to severe complications down the road, so it's essential to take any dental complaints seriously and get your kid in to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Contact your kids' dentist in Stockton, Sajjad Rizvi D.D.S. at Happy Kids Dental, to know more about Pediatric Dental Fillings

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Composite Fillings Vs Amalgams

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.