No one loves the thought of having to get a cavity filled, but at Frisco Dental Associates, we make this process as painless as possible. However, you may be nervous about taking your child to the dentist because you fear the process for pediatric dental fillings. Whether you need to find your child’s first dentist or you’re looking for a replacement, our team can help. Contact Frisco Dental today at 972.335.2201 to schedule your first appointment.

What Should You Know About Pediatric Dental Fillings?

Pediatric dental fillings are necessary for children to preserve and protect the primary (baby) tooth until the adult tooth replaces it. Sometimes parents ask if a filling is necessary since the primary tooth is eventually going to fall out. While it’s true that these teeth are temporary, they still serve vital functions in:

  • Holding space for the adult tooth
  • Promoting proper development for the jaws
  • Aiding in speech development

Remember, some of these primary teeth do not fall out until your child is 10 or 12. That’s a long time to go without a tooth if your child is currently only in the preschool years.

Pediatric dental fillings treat cavities on a child’s teeth. Dental fillings can also help treat cracks or chips in teeth. The purpose of a dental filling by a pediatric dentist is to fill an area that has become sensitive due to decay. If you are looking for pediatric dental fillings in Frisco, TX because your child is experiencing tooth pain, schedule an appointment at Frisco Dental Associates.

What to Expect at a Pediatric Dental Visit?

When you bring your child to the dentist for a cleaning, the dentist may find cavities that need repair and filling. If your child still has all of their baby teeth, it is up to you and your dentist to decide what solution is best. Things that will come into question when visiting our pediatric dentists in Frisco, TX are:

  • The age of your child
  • Which teeth have the decay
  • Whether or not the child is in pain

Children need pediatric dental fillings for a variety of reasons. It does not mean that you are a bad parent or that they are fibbing about brushing their teeth. Soft teeth, medications that cause dry mouth, bruxism, and acidic erosion from food are all causes of tooth decay that we can treat with dental fillings.

Neither you nor the dentist is likely to know that your child will need fillings before the visit. During a scheduled cleaning, the dentist will look over the child’s mouth and clean it. If your child needs a filling, your dentist will let you know. If you both have time to do the procedure directly after the cleaning, we can do it during that visit.

You may choose not to get the filling if the tooth is loose and give way soon to an adult tooth. However, you may want to go through with the procedure if it is on a front tooth. This treatment will avoid risking discoloration of the front tooth.

What Happens When Your Child Needs a Filling?

If your child needs a filling, rest assured that though the process is similar to that of an adult tooth, it is usually simpler because the tooth structure is less involved. The steps involved in this process are:

  • Numbing the Area: We use local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth.
  • Removing Tooth Decay: We will remove the decayed portion and shape the space to prepare it for the filling. A solution is applied to the tooth to allow for bonding. Then we will treat the tooth with a special light to prepare it for the filling material.
  • Adding Filling Material: We will layer on the resin or tooth-colored composite and harden it using a bright light for certain types of fillings. This step makes it strong.
  • Polishing: Once we have placed the filling, we will polish the teeth and evaluate the bite. We will make any adjustments needed to ensure your child’s bite remains aligned.

If multiple fillings are needed, we may elect to complete these throughout multiple appointments, depending on the individual child’s ability to sit still. Sometimes it is easier on kids and their parents if we go in stages, rather than expecting more patience than they are capable of exercising.

What Are the Next Steps?

Post-procedure care is simple; your child should be able to resume normal activity once the anesthetic has worn off. Proper oral hygiene will help the tooth with the filling and help prevent other teeth from requiring additional work. Our team members will review any specific questions you have, as well as any recommendations we have for your child. To schedule a pediatric dentistry appointment at Frisco Dental Associates, call 972.335.2201.

Make an Appointment Today

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Frisco, TX, our dentists can perform a range of pediatric dental fillings. Give us a call today at 972.335.2201 to find out how we can help you replace your child’s old fillings or keep an eye out for new ones that might be needed.