Your child should begin to see a local pediatric dentist at a young age, even starting with that very first tooth. In any case, your child should see a pediatric dentist for the first time around the age of one year. Even a baby tooth can still get a cavity. Remember, life-long fears of the dentist often originate in early childhood and persist into adulthood. Here at our dental practice, we specialize in all types of dental services for children, designed just for this age group.

Fillings: Amalgam or Composite?

Although these two materials are different, the procedure for repairing a tooth damaged by decay is the same:

• The area is numbed, first with a topical anesthetic, then with an injectable local anesthetic
• The decayed area is removed with a dental drill
• The healthy remaining part of the tooth is cleaned and prepared for filling

Amalgam fillings are silvery in color, although they are not actually made of silver, but rather a mixture of various metals. They are strong and long-lasting. Amalgams are not typically suitable for visible teeth.

Composite fillings, also called tooth colored fillings, are made of a resin-like material that hardens when exposed to a special light. These are also strong and long-lasting. Tooth colored fillings may be used on any tooth, visible or not. Both types may be used for fillings for kids’ teeth.

We invite you to contact our office at Fuquay Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment for your child. Our fully trained staff will be pleased to assist you and can answer any questions you may have about fillings for kids’ teeth.