If your child has a cavity that needs a filling, McKinney Pediatric Dentistry is the place to go. We offer child-friendly care that you can trust, and your child’s health is our top priority.
What Is a Dental Filling?
A filling is a treatment used to replace decayed or damaged dental tissue while maintaining the tooth structure and preventing further decay. Fillings are most commonly needed in the molars, or back teeth, since those teeth have areas that can be hard to reach when brushing and can trap food and cause decay.
What Are Fillings Made Of?
Fillings can be made of many different materials, including metal, porcelain, or resin.
Metal fillings are long-lasting and they tend to be the cheapest option. While they do not blend in with the rest of your teeth very well, they can be a good choice for baby teeth, since those teeth will fall out anyway.
Porcelain fillings match your natural tooth color, as do resin fillings. Resin fillings are the most common option these days, and they can be custom-made to blend right in with the natural teeth.
When Is a Filling Needed?
Fillings are most commonly needed when a tooth has a cavity. This means that an area of the tooth has a buildup of bacteria that has caused the enamel of the tooth to decay. Untreated cavities can lead to further decay and damage to the teeth. They can even cause pulpitis (infection of the sensitive material inside the tooth) and dental abscesses (pockets of infection in the tooth root).
If your child has a cavity, it’s important to get it filled right away to prevent larger problems from arising.
What Happens When a Filling Is Placed
Placing a filling is a relatively simple procedure, and it can be done the same day the dentist notices a cavity. Getting a filling has four general steps.
- Preparing the area: The dentist will numb the gums so that they can remove the decay of the cavity without discomfort. Typically, a numbing gel is used, though sometimes the dentist may administer a numbing shot instead.
- Removing decayed tissue: The dentist will use special tools to remove the decayed parts of the tooth. They’ll make sure no bacteria or infection remain so that after the filling is placed, no further decay will happen.
- Placing the filling: The dentist will fill the area left once the decay is removed. Simply removing the decay without filling the space with something else can make the tooth likely to break, and it leaves a perfect place for bacteria to grow again, so metal, porcelain, or resin is used to fill in the area.
- Polishing and Adjusting the filling: The dentist will polish the filling and adjust it so that it is smooth and lines up perfectly with the other teeth. Your child’s dentist will want to make sure the filling won’t inhibit their bite or their flossing.
Child-Friendly Dentistry
Getting a cavity filled is a procedure many people go through, but filling a cavity can get tricky when it comes to filling a child’s cavity.
Children may be afraid of the dentist and sometimes simply have trouble sitting still for the procedure. If this is the case for your child, don’t worry! At McKinney Pediatric Dentistry, we offer behavior management and sedation dentistry to help your child get the dental care they need and get over any dental anxiety.
Behavior management includes using desensitization techniques, like showing your child the tools, explaining the procedure, and taking breaks when needed. If this does not work, or if the filling is urgent, we can also use sedation options like nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, or oral conscious sedation to ensure your child has a relaxing appointment.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s ability to sit through a dental exam or procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’d be happy to talk you through your options and answer any questions you still have.
Don’t wait—Schedule Your Appointment with McKinney Pediatric Dentistry now.
Your child’s health is important to us. If you think your child has a cavity, don’t wait to get it treated. Call McKinney Pediatric Dentistry today to protect your child’s oral health for years to come.