Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include amalgam, or composite. The strength and durability of traditional dental materials continue to make them useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing, such as in the back of the mouth.
Newer dental fillings include glass ionomer and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, as well as on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.
What’s right for your child?
Several factors influence the performance, durability, longevity and expense of dental restorations, including:
- The components used in the filling material
- The amount of tooth structure remaining
- Where and how the filling is placed
- The chewing load that the tooth will have to bear
- The length and number of visits needed to prepare and adjust the restored tooth
Before your child’s treatment begins, your dentist will discuss all options and help you choose the best filling for your child’s particular case.
- Direct fillings are fillings placed immediately into a prepared cavity in a single visit. They include glass ionomers, resin ionomers, and composite (resin) fillings. The dentist prepares the tooth, places the filling and adjusts it in just one appointment.
- Crowns
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Dental crowns help to strengthen and protect teeth that cannot be restored by a filling or other dental restorations. Dental crowns cover the entire tooth, restoring the tooth to its original shape and size. The indications for dental crowns are:
- Tooth treated with a baby root canal
- A large amount of decay or multiple surfaces
- Broken tooth or filling
- Large filling
- Severely worn teeth
- Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver diamine fluoride is a clear liquid that can be used to help prevent cavities from growing, particularly in young anxious children.