Tooth-Colored Fillings
Even with their best efforts, brushing and flossing regularly can be a real challenge for children. Young children often lack the dexterity to handle the task properly. Older children might have the 
skills but just don’t want to spend the time on it. Because of this, cavities are common.
When your child has a cavity, Dr. Stefan Ionescu may recommend a composite resin filling. These fillings, which are made to match the color of your child’s tooth, not only look natural but are also strong enough to handle the daily pressure of chewing.
When Are Fillings Necessary?
When an x-ray or visual exam by Dr. Ionescu identifies decay on your child’s tooth, he will probably recommend a filling. Unless the decay is too large, in which case a root canal might be the recommended treatment, a filling will protect the tooth structure and keep the decay from growing.
Why Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings offer a clear esthetic advantage: They look better because they blend in with your child’s natural tooth. It’s tough to even tell the filling is there. They can be used on teeth toward the front of the mouth or in the back of the mouth, as long as the spots of decay are a reasonable size.
How Are White Fillings Placed?
As always, before starting any treatment, Dr. Ionescu will make sure your child is completely comfortable in the dental chair. For some children, this might mean using some type of sedation dentistry, such as nitrous oxide. For others, a simple numbing of the area of the mouth near the tooth to be filled is adequate.
Once the area is numb, the decay is removed and the area is prepared to receive the composite material. When the filling is in place, a blue light speeds up the hardening process.
When the filling has hardened into place, your child will be asked to bite down and adjustments will be made as needed to ensure comfort.
Does the Filling Process Hurt?
Because the area is numbed, your child will not feel any pain during the process. Dr. Ionescu will prepare your child to expect a bit of pressure as well as cold water being sprayed on the tooth.
The process is over quite quickly and painlessly. Your child might feel some sensitivity in the area for a couple of weeks, but this will dissipate over time.
How Do You Take Care of Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Taking care of tooth-colored fillings is simple. Children must be sure to practice good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. If the decay happened as a result of poor oral health care habits, this can be a good time to go over proper brushing and flossing technique to try to avoid cavities in the future.
Call Little Smiles Dentistry to Find Out More about Tooth-Colored Fillings
If you suspect your child has a cavity, call Dr. Ionescu. A tooth-colored filling will prevent a small cavity from getting bigger. Call us today.
