Fillings In Children

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre in Sutton we treat decayed, fractured, discoloured, worn, chipped and cracked teeth in children. Smile Hub Dental Clinic fixes holes in children’s teeth otherwise known as tooth decay and cavities! We always ensure a healthy and cosmetic result for our paediatric patients when placing white fillings. All our fillings are minimal and are white when restoring cavities for children. At Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we match all our restorations and dental fillings to match the natural colour of your child’s teeth. Your best dentist for your child’s fillings in Dublin.

Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we know that identifying cavities early means that we can fix the tooth before the decay spreads closer to the nerve which can then result in pain for the child. We offer a variety of durable long-lasting fillings for our young patients to cater to their needs. For children’s fillings we use composite which is a putty like material that can be made into the shape of the original tooth. They can also be matched to the shade of the other teeth.

Composite fillings are the best choice for children as they are not as invasive as amalgam fillings, therefore there is not as much drilling as they do not require the removal of healthy tooth tissue. Composite fillings are also set straight away so there is no need for your child to eat soft or be careful like with amalgam fillings. Composite fillings do not contain any mercury like amalgam fillings so they are completely safe for our little patients.

Baby Teeth Fillings

Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we always do what is best for our child patients and their particular needs. In some cases, this may include filling a baby tooth. If your child has a cavity in a baby tooth, it causes decay which can break down the tooth structure and can lead to pain if the decay gets close to the tooth’s nerve. If the dentist feels that the best way of preserving this tooth is with a filling, then they will proceed to drill a small hole in the area of decay in the tooth. They will then fill this hole with the appropriate filling material needed for the extent of the decay. Once filled this material will help this tooth function as normal and prevent any further decay in that area. Our dentist will go through some tips on how to prevent further cavities such as limiting sugary drinks and maintaining good oral hygiene. Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we believe that prevention is one of the most important factors when it comes to healthy teeth. One of our dentists will explain thoroughly what procedure the child will need and create a treatment plan to suit the child.

There are a number of factors that one of our expert dentists will consider before filling a baby tooth. These factors include:

How close the tooth is to falling out
Calculating the size of the cavity
Assessing your child’s cavity-risk.

How Close is the Baby Tooth To Falling Out?

If the baby tooth is close to falling out, we may suggest improving oral hygiene, cutting down the amount of sugar in the diet, correct brushing and flossing techniques and coming to regular check-ups here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic. These tips will be recommended if the baby tooth has the possibility of falling out in the next year. Our dentists can identify the time frame if the tooth falling out by assessing how much of its rot is still there. When the adult tooth starts to come down, it will dissolve the root of the baby tooth gradually. To identify how much of the baby tooth root is left, the dentist may have to take some x-rays.

Calculating the size of the cavity

If a cavity is identified during a child’s exam and has reached the dentin of the tooth it will more than likely need to be filled. The outer layer of the tooth is called enamel and is hard to protect the inner layer of the tooth. The inner layer is called dentin and is softer and more porous. When the decay is found in the inner layer of the tooth, it can spread fast which is why a filling may be suggested to stop the spread to the nerve of the tooth. If decay gets to the nerve it can cause the child pain and the tooth may be to broken down to fill. If the cavity is large and spread across multiple surfaces of the tooth, it may need a crown to be restored. If the cavity is too large for either of these options, an extraction may be recommended. If the dentist identifies a pre cavity spot, they will usually just monitor it to make sure the decay does not get any bigger. A pre cavity spot is an area where demineralization is occurring but only on the enamel and has not gotten through to the dentin.

Assessing your child’s cavity risk

Cavities cause decay to the tooth and can also spread from one tooth to another. If a cavity is left untreated it can lead to decay in multiple teeth in a child’s mouth. This is why assessing the risk of cavities is very important. If a child has a high risk of getting more cavities than a filling may be the best option to prevent decay in other teeth. Once the decaying tooth is restored the other teeth will be protected from this tooth’s cavity spreading.

If you think your child has a cavity please book and appointment here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic. You can book online or call us at 01 5253888.

What happens if you don't fill a cavity in a baby tooth?

If there is a cavity found in a baby tooth it more than likely has reached the dentin of the tooth. This means that decay will spread fast. If a cavity is not detected early and is left untreated it can become large and create other problems. If the cavity becomes too large to fill there is a high chance that the tooth will need a crown, an extraction or in some cases a baby root canal treatment. Large cavities can also lead to pain and swelling. Cavities can also spread to other teeth which could mean treatment on multiple teeth which can be difficult on a child.

Should you fill a cavity in a baby tooth?

The dentist will asses the stage of the baby tooth and if it is going to fall out soon. If the tooth could fall out in 6 to 12 months it might be suggested to leave filling it. If it will e in the child’s mouth for longer a filling is suggested, to stop decay spreading in this tooth and other teeth which could lead to needing more invasive treatment. If the child has a high risk of getting more cavities it is probably best to fill this tooth to stop any further cavities.

How long does a child's filling take?

If a child is comfortable and cooperative, a filling can take an hour or less. It depends on the size of the filling and the materials that are being used. If the child is nervous or anxious, we can provide inhalation sedation to help them to relax and to prevent them getting a phobia of the dentist in the future.

How do I prepare my child for a cavity filling?

Keep calm and composed so that the child does not notice if you are nervous for them
Talk openly and honest about it
Be careful what words you use when talking about it
Tell them your positive experiences at the dentist
Give them a comfort item to keep with them

How safe is paediatric dental anaesthesia for fillings?

Inhalation sedation or happy air is completely safe for children who need fillings done. This sedation helps them to relax so it is a better option for young or nervous children who may be stressed during the procedure. It makes it safer for the patient and dentist to get treatment done on a safe and efficient way.