At Eastown Pediatric Dentistry, we can comfortably eliminate tooth decay with a dental filling.

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Dental Fillings

As your pediatric specialist, our goal is to help your child avoid cavities, and we do this by talking with them about their oral health and brushing and flossing habits during their routine visits. However, with that said, most children will need to have a dental filling placed to restore a tooth affected by decay at some point.

We are happy to provide your child with tooth-colored fillings, which are the most durable and aesthetically pleasing option available today.

When Is a Dental Filling Necessary?

The harmful acids and bacteria that gather in your son or daughter’s mouth after meals and snacks can eat away at tooth enamel, causing it to become compromised. When this happens, the decay leaves a hole in the tooth known as a cavity.

Your pediatric dentist will fill the hole with tooth-colored composite resin, and this filling will restore the tooth to health, so your child can eat and chew comfortably again. Using a filling to eliminate tooth decay is much easier and more comfortable than treating it once it has progressed into the nerve or pulp of the tooth.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Tooth-Colored Fillings

Composite resin provides both durability and aesthetics when restoring a tooth. A tooth-colored filling is also a more conservative choice since it preserves more of your child’s natural tooth structure than metal fillings. If it is a permanent, adult tooth that we are looking to restore, a composite resin filling has the potential to last for many years with a good brushing and flossing routine and regular dental checkups.

What Is the Process for Getting a Tooth-Colored Filling?

Your child’s comfort is always our top priority and completing a dental filling is a relatively comfortable and straightforward process for your son or daughter we can finish during one appointment.

Your pediatric dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth, which will ensure that your child doesn’t feel anything during the procedure. When the tooth is numb, they will remove the decayed area of the tooth, clean it thoroughly, and make sure it is entirely free of decay.

Next, composite resin is blended to match your child’s tooth and then placed into the space left open by tooth decay. Your pediatric dentist uses a special light to cure and harden the composite material, and then they smooth the filling to ensure that your son or daughter’s bite is functioning correctly.

That’s the end of the procedure, and their tooth is now restored to health! Your little one should be able to return to his or her usual activities right away and can eat normally once the anesthetic wears off.

Contact Our Pediatric Dental Office

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about tooth decay or dental fillings recommended for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child prevent cavities?

As your pediatric specialist, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many of the choices you are making each day affect your son or daughter's oral health such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper techniques for brushing and flossing will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When they get their first teeth, start brushing with a soft bristle brush designed for infants.

As they progress, you can begin to use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth from ages one to three years, and a pea-sized amount when they reach are between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead.

Consistent checkups with your pediatric dentist will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. They should visit the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup starting at age one. Contact our office for more information.

Meet Our Dentist:

Dr. Jessica Massie

Dr. Jess grew up in the Midwest, spending most of her time outdoors and playing sports. She attended Indiana University, where she had the opportunity to play on the Women’s Tennis Team. After IU, she joined the Class of 2008 at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. It was there that she discovered just how important—and surprisingly complex—teeth really are! She spent countless hours in the pediatric clinic because, let’s be honest, kids are simply more fun.

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