Tooth-colored fillings can enhance your child’s smile.

Dental health is important for your child, and if they need a filling because of a cavity, you may be worried that the filling will cause your child to feel self-conscious. In the past, metal fillings were the norm, and they stood out more in one’s smile. But there is no need to worry because, today, many dentists now use tooth-colored fillings. And before you ask whether tooth-colored fillings can stand up to the everyday pressures of chewing and biting, you should know that they are just as strong and durable as metal fillings, and no one will be able to tell your child has one!

The dental team at Pediatric Dental Specialists in Kearney has extensive experience in dealing with children’s dental needs, and can help you decide if a tooth-colored filling is what your child needs. Read on to learn more!

What is a tooth-colored filling?

A tooth-colored filling is a filling that is made of composite materials, like resin mixed with quartz, silica, or glass. These types of fillings can be matched to the color of your child’s natural tooth, so the filling will not be visible to the naked eye.

Traditional tooth fillings are made of amalgam and are silver in color. But today, dentists are moving away from traditional amalgam fillings because of the cosmetic advantages of a tooth-colored filling. While both types of fillings can last up to 20 years when taken care of properly, tooth-colored fillings are considered more aesthetically pleasing, which is why they are the top choice of the Pediatric Dental Specialists team as well as their patients.

What are the advantages of tooth-colored fillings?

The biggest advantage of choosing a tooth-colored filling over a traditional amalgam filling is that the tooth-colored filling is matched to the color of your child’s natural smile. This means a tooth-colored filling will look just like the rest of your child’s teeth, making for a more aesthetically pleasing look. Some children might become self-conscious of a silver amalgam filling in their mouth, but by using a tooth-colored filling, your child will be proud to show off their glamorous smile to anyone who wants to see it.

What does getting a filling entail?

The process of getting a tooth-colored filling is the same as getting a traditional amalgam dental filling. First, if the cavity is close to the root of the tooth, your dentist will use a numbing agent to dull the area. This way, your child won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Next, the Pediatric Dental Specialists team will remove any dead or decaying parts of the tooth using their specialized dental tools.

If this is your child’s first filling and they are curious about the procedure, we’re willing to talk them through the entire process and introduce them to our dental tools as we go along. We’re dedicated to making this procedure as comfortable as possible for your child!

After the area of the decaying part of the tooth has been removed, your dentist will then fill the remaining hole with a tooth-colored filling. The filling will then be cured with a special light to help harden the composite material, and our team will shape and polish it to ensure it is smooth. Finally, our team will check to make sure the filling doesn’t negatively impact your child’s bite, making any final adjustments as needed.

The procedure can sometimes result in some discomfort for a few days, so if your child is complaining of a toothache afterward, feel free to give them an over-the-counter pain relief medication to help ease the soreness.

Caring for a Tooth-Colored Filling

After your child has received a tooth-colored filling, they’ll need to care for it just like any other tooth. A good oral hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day and flossing at least once a day. While brushing, make sure your child is reaching all surfaces of their tooth, including the top, back, and sides.

To ensure your child is brushing their teeth thoroughly, have them imagine that their mouth is broken up into four sections—top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right—and instruct them to spend at least 30 seconds brushing each area. If they are having trouble flossing, consider using a dental floss pic or a waterpik to help them clean between their teeth.

Schedule your biannual visit today!

Visiting Pediatric Dental Specialists in Kearney at least twice a year can help your child’s smile stay dazzling. Biannual preventative dental visits allow our team to check for cavities or any other dental abnormalities that could cause trouble for your child later on. Schedule your appointment today!