Tooth-Colored Fillings – Root Canals, Crowns, Extractions, and More
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 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 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.
Root Canal Therapy
Deep inside your tooth, underneath enamel and dentin, is an area called the pulp chamber. This part of the tooth contains tissue and nerves that keep the tooth healthy, but pulp can become infected if bacteria enter the area through a fracture, deep decay, or trauma.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are restorations that we use to strengthen and protect damaged or broken teeth.
Crowns are custom-made to cover a tooth entirely, so they are often referred to as caps or tooth caps. A crown restores the comfortable chewing function of the tooth and provides strength and support. Dental bridges replace missing teeth to restore function and complete your smile. We usually create crowns and bridges out of porcelain because of their natural appearance and durability.
When Is a Dental Extraction Needed?
There may be some circumstances where extracting or removing a tooth is the best treatment for your child. Those situations are:
- Tooth decay that is severe and larger than what a dental filling or crown can repair
- Periodontal disease in an advanced stage that has caused an infection
- A fractured or broken tooth
- A tooth affected by trauma or an accident
We always recommend dental extractions as a last resort, and you can rest assured that if it's needed, it is to protect your child's oral health and well-being. We make every effort to ensure your son or daughter's comfort if extraction is necessary, and we're here to guide you through the recovery process from start to finish.
Contact Our Pediatric Dental Office
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about tooth decay, dental fillings, or other therapeutic procedures recommended for your child.
