Dental Fillings
What are dental fillings?
Dr. Abraham recommends dental fillings for children who have tooth damage that is caused by cavities, enamel defects or trauma. Most children try to brush and floss as they should, but there are many areas that are missed as younger patients learn the best techniques. The tooth damage forms as cavities that are small holes in the surface of the tooth. The cavity is repaired with materials to fill the hole.
Why would your child need dental fillings?
Cavities in the surface of a tooth create excellent openings for bacteria to find a way to the pulp. If the bacteria reach the inside of the tooth, your child may need invasive treatment than a filling or to have the tooth pulled. Dental fillings close the opening in the surface to protect the tooth.
What makes your child a good candidate for dental fillings?
Dr. Abraham typically detects cavities during her examination, although some cavities are found only with x-rays. If she finds that your child has a cavity, she will recommend dental fillings based on your child’s need. Part of her recommendation includes the types of fillings that are available. We offer tooth colored fillings for our patients.
White Crowns
White crowns are one of the material of choice for front teeth. This provides esthetics and durable coverage for the tooth. The material can be resin, full porcelain or stainless steel coated with porcelain on the front. Full coverage of the tooth is indicated when a filling cannot be done due to reasons such as large cavities, after baby root canals, fractured tooth and high caries risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive.
Silver Crowns
Metal crowns have been indicated for the restoration of primary and permanent teeth with extensive caries, developmental defects on teeth when failure of other available restorative materials is likely, following baby root canals, for the intermediate restoration of fractured teeth, and for definitive restorative treatment for high caries-risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive.
Hall Crowns
This is one of the recent minimally invasive technique where a stainless steel crown is placed directly over the baby tooth with cavity with little or no cavity removal. This will provide a seal to the tooth and the bacteria inside the tooth perishes. This procedure can be a valid alternative, particularly when children are unable to accept conventional treatment with local anesthesia or numbing medicine. This technique cannot be done on all cases and proper case selection is needed.
Dr Abraham carefully assess your child if they are a candidate for Hall technique. During the first visit a small elastic is placed between the teeth to create space. After 2-7 days, the patient will return to the office for the removal of elastic, correct size of the crown is obtained and is glued to the tooth with a dental cement or adhesive. This procedure is relatively quick and requires some cooperation. This technique can be combined with the application of silver diamine fluoride.
If your child needs a dental crown, we will work with you to determine the best option to fit your child’s individual situation.
Hall Crown Process
Separators placed in between teeth
Separators removed
Right after cementing crown
What happens during the procedure for dental fillings?
Dr Abraham recommends the use of nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas) for the comfort and pain controlling effect of the patient. The area may or may not be numbed with a local anesthetic. Dr. Abraham uses a special tool to remove any damaged enamel from the tooth. Once the area is clean, she fills the opening with a tooth colored material. Dental fillings are typically quick to perform.
If you think that you need dental fillings or would like more information, call our office today and one of our staff will be happy to help you.
Before & After
Before & After
