Fillings Don’t Have to Be Noticeable
Although
parents don’t want to hear that their child needs a dental filling,
restorations are often necessary to treat a tooth that has experienced decay.
This simple procedure restores your child’s tooth to its normal shape and
function.
Today,
dentists have options when it comes to selecting what material to use for
fillings. While metal amalgam has been used to fill teeth for more than a
century, we increasingly use tooth-colored composite resins for this procedure.
The
advantages of using composite fillings include the following:
- Composite fillings blend in
well because they match the color of teeth.
- Composite fillings bond to the
teeth, helping to seal them and prevent additional decay.
- Some composite fillings release
fluoride, contributing to the prevention of decay.
- Composite fillings can usually
be placed in a hole smaller than that needed for amalgam fillings.
Composite
fillings are durable. Because everyone wants healthy-looking white teeth,
composite fillings are usually the material of choice for the front teeth; they
can also be used on the back teeth.
One
of the difficulties of placing a composite filling in a child’s mouth is that
the tooth must be kept clean and dry throughout the procedure. Thus, the process
takes a little longer than placing an amalgam filling, but we can keep most
children still and comfortable during the procedure.
Of
course, the ideal filling is no filling at all. That is why we stress the
importance of proper brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to KiDDS Dental for checkups and cleanings. If your child is due for a dental visit—or
if you feel he or she needs some help or encouragement with dental hygiene—call
our office for an appointment. We will work with you and your child to improve
dental hygiene and reduce the chances that he or she will need any
fillings—composite or amalgam—at all.
