Dental fillings are used to fill cavities and repair cracked or broken teeth. Fillings can be done with gold, porcelain, or silver amalgam, but are most commonly done with material called composite resin, which is designed to match the color of your teeth. Additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings because they require multiple layers and that a special light be used to dry and harden the area around them.
To fill a tooth, a local anesthetic is first applied to numb the area around the tooth. A laser or air abrasion instrument is then used to remove the decayed area. The pediatric dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the bacteria and debris out of the cavity. In some cases, the dentist may apply a liner, which is called a glass ionomer, to the tooth to help protect it and the nerve before it is filled. After the filling is complete, the dentist will polish the tooth to make it feel smooth and natural.
The procedure can vary in time and cost depending on the extent of the damage to the tooth. If you have any questions about fillings for your children’s teeth, please contact our office today.