Pediatric Composite Fillings: Why They’re a Great Option for Your Child’s Teeth

Conservative White Fillings in Mission Viejo CA Area

When it comes to dentistry, most parents are invested in helping their kids receive the dental services they need. Even if your kids still have their baby teeth, it’s important to schedule frequent dental checkups and cleanings. As young children are particularly prone to cavities, pediatric dental fillings are a common treatment at South OC Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Mission Viejo, California. Your pediatric dentist, Dr. John De Lorme, treats decay with conservative white fillings. Here’s what you should know about composite filling treatment.

Benefits of Composite Fillings for Children

White fillings are considered safe for children as they’re metal-free and mercury-free. The filling is a mixture of resin material and powdered glass, which makes a flexible, putty-like, tooth-colored material. This is what’s used to fill cavities. The mixture can be tinted to match the color of your children’s natural teeth to make the filling hard to see. That way, the filling won’t ruin the smile’s appearance.

Appearance, however, isn’t the only reason composite fillings are a great choice for children. Conservative white fillings also offer the following benefits:

Biocompatibility
Composite resin fillings are biocompatible with your teeth and won’t pose a risk to your oral or general health. There’s no metal or mercury content in the fillings, so they won’t trigger metal allergies. In addition to treating decay, we use this same material for dental bonding, a popular cosmetic treatment used to repair minor tooth flaws and improve your smile’s appearance.
Less Invasive Treatment
With white fillings, there’s no need for extensive drilling, which is a plus for young children who may already be nervous about having cavity treatment. Less drilling means we can conserve more of the natural structure of your child’s teeth.
Protection
Composite fillings bond directly with your tooth enamel to form a tight seal against future decay. After removing the decay, we will cover the empty space with the resin material and cure it with a special light to harden it in place. The filling will strengthen and protect your child’s tooth from future infection or damage. White fillings are more secure than silver amalgam fillings and are less likely to come loose.
Durability
White fillings are more durable today than ever before and make good restorations for front or back teeth. If your child gets a cavity in a molar, a white filling will restore that tooth’s usefulness for years. Front tooth cavities can be treated discreetly with composite fillings, as the filling blends right in with your child’s smile. No flashing metal every time your child grins! With good oral care, composite fillings can last up to 10 years before needing to be replaced.
Less Tooth Sensitivity
White fillings will protect your child’s teeth and reduce sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.