1 out of 7 adolescents ages 12 to 19 have at least one untreated cavity.
At Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Dr. Sholander exclusively uses composite fillings to treat patients at our office. This type of filling is made from a blend of dental resin and crushed glass filler, resulting in fillings that are durable, strong, and require less enamel removal when compared to traditional metal fillings.
Not only that, but composite fillings also look and feel much more natural. The composite material is matched precisely to your tooth color, so it will blend in and look just like your real tooth. In contrast, metal fillings have a silver color that tend to discolor the treated tooth.
Another benefit of composite fillings is their lack of mercury, which is toxic, and used as part of the blend in metal amalgam fillings. It’s because of all these reasons that Dr. Sholander believes composite fillings to be a better overall choice for our little patients.
When done properly, dental fillings shouldn’t hurt at all. Your child’s mouth will be numb during the process, so they won’t feel any pain or discomfort.
First, Dr. Sholander will clean and numb the treatment area. Once their mouth is numbed sufficiently, she will use a dental drill to gently trim away damaged and decayed enamel from the tooth, if necessary. Then, once the cavity has been properly prepared, she will place a small amount of dental composite material directly into the cavity.
Using special dental tools, Dr. Sholander will apply multiple layers of composite to the tooth, sculpting and hardening it to reshape and restore your child’s tooth. As the last step, she will use a special type of paper to check their bite, and make sure the filling fits in with the rest of their teeth perfectly.
Fortunately, composite dental fillings don’t require any special aftercare of any kind. You can treat your child’s filling just like a natural tooth. Make sure they brush and floss regularly and see Dr. Sholander for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. That’s it!
Composite fillings tend to last between 5-7 years, but it’s possible for these fillings to last up to 10 years or longer in some cases. The best way to keep fillings in good condition is to brush and floss regularly.
Proper at-home oral hygiene helps prevent tooth decay, which is a common cause of premature filling failure. If decay begins to occur around a filling, it may loosen and fail prematurely, and it may need to be replaced with another filling.
In addition to this, you should bring your child to see Dr. Sholander every six months for preventive care to ensure your child’s mouth is developing healthily, and that their fillings and other dental work are in good condition.
Nearly 80% of Americans have had at least one cavity before the age of 18.
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