White Fillings for Kids
Catching cavities early is one of the most fundamental goals of your pediatric dental team at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Woodbridge, New Jersey, Harlem, NY and the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When kids build a relationship with their dentist at an early age, when the time comes when they need white fillings for kids, they’re not nervous. Instead, when they receive a filling, they’ve been educated enough to know that it helps prevent further, more complicated dental work in the future. Call today to set your children up with an appointment.
What Is a White Filling?
Made from composite dental resin, white fillings are best for matching the color and shape of your child’s natural teeth. White fillings are great options for children, as they easily mold to the tooth, leaving no sharp or protruding edges that may be especially annoying and painful to kids.
The experienced pediatric dentists at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, provide preventative dental care that includes white fillings and other forms of dental sealants that may be necessary in early childhood. The team is compassionate and caring with kids of all ages, making them comfortable at every visit.
Why Might My Child Require a White Filling?
The most common reason that children need while fillings for kids is to fill a hole after a tooth has been treated for a cavity. While the resin material in white fillings for kids are commonly used to fill small holes in the teeth, white crowns are needed to fill the larger holes created during a root canal treatment. Your pediatric dentist decides which treatment best serves your child.
Cavities most often form due to poor oral hygiene. It’s best to catch and correct early caries to prevent future pain and discomfort. Some causes of cavities may result in the need for a white filling
Why Is a White Filling Best for My Child?
Why Fill a Tooth That Will Soon Fall Out?
If your child’s primary tooth has been damaged due to abnormal growth or injury, pulling it too soon may lead to future problems within the root and nerves. These issues could be the catalyst for more costly and painful treatments in the future.
An underdeveloped or infected root may cause the adult tooth to also grow incorrectly. Consult one of the friendly dentists at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to decide whether or not a white filling is the best solution. Consider a filling over extraction if dealing with:
Injury to the tooth. An accident or fall can cause a tooth to crack or break off, leading to gaps or damage to nerves and gums.
Abnormal growth. Misshapen or crooked teeth need to be addressed early to ensure the adult tooth has a healthy space to grow into. Teeth that grow crooked create unnatural spaces in the root and gum where bacteria grow.
Underdeveloped baby tooth. When a baby tooth is removed before it’s naturally ready to fall out, the root nerves may be damaged prematurely. The adult tooth that grows into this damaged area may be painful and harder to fix.
How Long Do White Fillings for Kids Last?
White composites commonly last between seven to 10 years. Recent studies show that these fillings are almost on par with silver amalgam fillings that last for more than 10 years. Maintenance of these fillings is fairly quick and painless. If administered to a primary tooth, its life span covers the time before the tooth falls out on its own.
White fillings are best for primary teeth as they protect the tooth until it’s naturally ready to fall out and the adult tooth is ready to take its place. To get your kids started on a healthy dental care path, contact the experts at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry today.