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Repair Growing Smiles
Pediatric Dental Fillings
If your child has a cavity in Alexandria or Kingstowne, Dr. Courtney is here to help. As a specialized pediatric dentist, Dr. Courtney can treat cavities in baby teeth with pediatric dental fillings, and provide your child with the treatment they need to keep their teeth strong and healthy. If you suspect that your child has a cavity, contact us now for an appointment.
Understanding the basics about
Fillings in Baby Teeth
Cavities are, unfortunately, very common in children. Even kids who take great care of their teeth may occasionally suffer from tooth decay. It’s estimated that around 42% of kids between the ages of 2-11 will have at least one cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.
Despite the fact that your child’s primary teeth will fall out naturally as they grow up, it’s still important to have them filled if they are suffering from cavities. If you don't get them the proper treatment, their tooth could become infected and die, which may cause further developmental complications.
But at Kingstowne Dental Specialists, Dr. Courtney Marzban is here to help. Our team can fill your child’s tooth, restore their smile, and ensure that their oral health is unaffected by tooth decay.
The Benefits of Composite Fillings
Why Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings?
At our office, we prefer to use composite (tooth-colored) fillings because they have a number of great benefits:
- Less invasive – Typically, less natural enamel must be removed when preparing your child’s tooth for a composite filling, as compared to a metal filling. This means a quicker, less-invasive procedure that preserves more of their tooth structure.
- Durable & long-lasting – Composite fillings usually last at least 10 years and with proper care, they can last even longer.
- Better cosmetic results – Metal fillings can discolor your child’s tooth and make them feel bad about their smile. Tooth-colored fillings, on the other hand, offer better cosmetic results.
For these reasons, we typically recommend composite fillings for most of our pediatric patients.
Amalgam vs. Composite Fillings
What's a Better Choice?
Due to the benefits outlined above, we prefer to place composite fillings for most pediatric patients. Amalgam fillings look grayish and discolor your child’s tooth when placed, so they have a less natural appearance. They also may contribute to increased tooth sensitivity, since the metals used to make amalgam fillings are highly conductive.
However, amalgam fillings are less expensive than composite fillings and often last longer. They may be a better option for some situations, such as filling a rear tooth that experiences a lot of wear. To find out what’s a better choice for your child, we recommend scheduling an appointment with Dr. Courtney at Kingstowne Dental Specialists.
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