Fillings and Crowns for Kids

Many wonder why the cavities of young kids’ teeth should be filled with fillings if the teeth will just fall out anyway. There are a few reasons why this is done:

• Comfort of your child– Pain will happen soon if the tooth has a cavity. Many see painkillers will help, but they are not a permanent solution.
• Health of your child– The tooth will eventually become unusable for chewing, which will not allow the child to properly wat, which results in the child not being able grow properly.
• Disease pass-on–  Cavities carry dental disease and bacteria. As teeth are next to each other a diseased tooth can infect permanent teeth as well.
• Speech – Milk teeth are also important to speak just as permanent teeth.

When the dentist has noted that a tooth as a cavity and the tooth needs to be filled the patient will have the following done:

• X-ray– an X-ray image is captured it looks at the tooth structure and what the damage is.
• Anesthesia- There are cases where a cavity can be deep and during the drilling pain might happen so the dentist can give your child local anesthesia to help with the pain.
• Cleaning– The cavity will be cleaned and drilled by the dentist as a deposit removal.
• Disinfection– The dentist will disinfect and dry the prepared cavity.
• Filling– the cavity will then be filled and shaped to give proper bite.

Modern dentistry has many options for choices of material when it comes to the fillings, they all have different prices as well as properties. Because the filling is made for a temporary tooth materials that are costly such as porcelain and gold are not normally used. Filling materials are:

• Silver Amalgam fillings are common, affordable, and durable. However the health and safety issues as well as dark color restrict their common use in dentistry.
• Composite Resin Fillings are another affordable and can be color matched to your child’s teeth. Because of this they are suitable to be used for front teeth. They are not the strongest of materials but can last from three to ten years, which is great for temporary teeth for children. They are also easily stained by tea, coffee, etc.
• Glass Ionomer Fillings – this material is tooth colored as well. Also a benefit is that fluoride that releases from the filling. This not only strengthens the tooth but it makes them resistant to cavities.
• Temporary Sedative Fillings – teeth that are to be replaced with permanent ones then eugenol based sedative fillings are temporarily placed in their mouth. Eugenol has a obtundent effect, which helps make the pain and discomfort in the affected tooth be reduced.

• When kids need crowns? – Kids are in need of a cap or crown on a tooth that may be vulnerable for a number of reasons such as being badly damaged, poor alignment, root canal treatment, or due to a filling.
• How are Crowns Placed in Kids?  Once the dentist has discussed whether crowns are needed, the dentist will prepare the tooth to receive a crown. To accommodate the crown the enamel will be removed a little. Crowns can be made by measurements in a lab and installed when ready, otherwise ready-made crowns can also be used.
• Difference Between Adult and Pediatric Crowns Kids need special handling and care when it comes to their oral health unlike adults. To help children at the dentistry a pediatric dentist is present who is specifically trained to handle young kids,  adolescents, and teenagers. Young patients will most likely need encouragement and pacification before any dental treatment. When it comes to crown cheap ready made stainless steel crowns are given to children as their milk teeth are only temporary.

When it comes to oral health the best course of action is to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. To understand how to do this it would be best to know what causes tooth decay.

• What causes tooth decay?  Tooth decay happens when the environment around a tooth or around teeth is acidic a period of time. What makes acids? Food particles sticking to the teeth especially particles rich in sugars and carbohydrates.

• How to avoid tooth decay –
  • Tooth-friendly foods-  Children need to be encouraged to eat tooth friendly foods while avoiding junk food, and food rich in sugars.
  • Dental Hygiene- Children need to be shown how to:
    • Brush their teeth twice a day and floss regularly at least once a day.
    • When brushing spend two minutes brushing all teeth evenly focusing on both molars and the insides of the teeth.
    • After every meal rinse mouth vigorously after every meal, and drink if they are not going to brush their teeth soon.
  • Dental visits– Regular visits to the dentist are essential even if your child is maintaining good dental hygiene. Plaque can accumulate in areas where brushing and flossing may not reach, leading to decay and gum disease.
  • Sealants– sealants are thin layers of plastic it is applied to the chewing surfaces of both premolar and molar teeth of children below their teens. Sealants can also be applied to adolescents and adults, sealants help protect teeth against overall decay.

If you have children, and you’re live near Brooklyn or a nearby location you can benefit from the expertise of Elan Kaufman DMD, experienced pediatric dentist. CDH will give you the best services at affordable costs. We are on Ocean Avenue, and corner of Kings Highway, near the Kings Highway stop on the B and Q Lines. Our second location is on Myrtle Avenue, and corner of Emerson Place, near Classon Avenue stop on the G Line.