If your child needs a dental filling, you may feel anxious about what will happen during their appointment. We have created this step-by-step guide to help you understand everything that will happen that day and how to prepare your child for their experience.
About Dental Fillings for Children
The first thing to remember about dental fillings for children is that we make the process as gentle as possible. As pediatric specialists, we know how to soothe and distract your child as needed to help alleviate their anxiety. Everyone in our office treats your child as we would our own, and we want you to know that their comfort is our priority.
Our Step-by-Step Dental Filling Procedure
Step 1: Settling In
Before your child’s filling, we will ensure they are comfortable and relaxed. Our equipment and tools are child-friendly, and we provide a television for every treatment chair so your child can relax with a favorite movie or show.
We may need to take digital X-rays of the area with dental decay before we begin the filling procedure. Digital X-rays are generally no trouble for children.
If needed and with your permission, we may administer nitrous oxide medication before we start the dental work.
Nitrous oxide is a safe, inhaled medication that produces a gentle feeling of positive well being and distracts your child from the sensations surrounding their dental work. Children wear small plastic masks over their noses to administer the inhaled medication. Your child’s doctor will continually monitor their vitals and comfort level and adjust the medication level up or down if necessary. This is not like any sedation or general anesthesia. Your child will be awake the whole time.
Step 2: Anesthesia
After ensuring your child is calm, relaxed, and settled in with a favorite TV program, if needed for any restoration, we provide local anesthesia. We use just enough to keep your child from feeling any discomfort during the appointment.
Step 3: Removing Decayed Areas
We use a small, gentle drill, which we call an electric toothbrush, to remove decayed, broken, or damaged areas of your child’s tooth to prepare the area for a filling.
Step 4: Applying the Composite Resin
We mix the composite resin to match your child’s teeth and carefully apply it to the prepared area. We harden each layer of resin with a special hand held lamp.
Step 5: Checking Your Child’s Bite
After filling the tooth, we ensure your child’s dental bite feels natural. We use a small piece of paper and ask the child to bite and grind their teeth on it to check for any issues, and then adjust the filling using polishing tools if necessary.
Aftercare for Pediatric Dental Fillings
Ensure your child does not eat until the local anesthetic has completely worn off. This step will help keep your child from inadvertently biting their lip, inner cheek, or tongue. Your child may be able to drink cool beverages through a straw. Ask your dentist or assistant if there is anything else you need to keep in mind.
We Understand Your Concerns
We sympathize if you have any misgivings about your child undergoing dental work for the first time. If you have any questions about the dental filling process, please ask us. We are always happy to provide more information about any aspect of your child’s dental care and home oral hygiene routine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings for Children
Is there anything I need to do to prepare my child for this appointment?
Always talk about the dentist in a positive light. Help your child understand that a dentist is a special doctor whose job it is to help your teeth stay healthy. If you have dental anxiety, please try your best to stay upbeat for your child’s sake. It is always best to let the pediatric dentist do the best in prepping your child, as that is what their training has had them specialize in, to minimize anxiety for the child and yourself, as the parent.
It helps us if you can show your child positive television shows, videos, or books about going to the dentist. That will give them a frame of reference regarding the environment and the steps they may experience. Role-playing games with dolls and stuffed animals visiting the dentist can also help, particularly with preschoolers.
Does a filling cause my child discomfort?
We provide local anesthesia to prevent any pain during the dental filling procedure. We also use a numbing gel on the gums before giving the local anesthetic. Leaving dental decay alone is far more likely to cause your child discomfort than repairing the damage with a filling.
Can my child receive sedation if they are nervous?
Some children benefit from nitrous oxide while receiving restorative dental treatment, especially if they experience anxiety or have developmental needs. Nitrous can also help children who need a longer appointment relax.
Nitrous oxide wears off in mere minutes after the procedure, and your child can return to school or play directly after their appointment.
Are tooth-colored fillings safe?
Tooth-colored fillings are made of a safe, well-tested composite resin material. Composite resin is not only safe and effective, but it also blends in to keep your child’s brilliant smile looking natural.
Why should I have my child’s baby tooth filled even when it will fall out?
Baby teeth are crucial to your child’s oral development, even if they do shed naturally during childhood. They keep spaces open for the permanent teeth that are under the gums waiting to erupt. Parents also need to understand that dental decay is an infection and can cause your child significant discomfort even if they cannot clearly express it due to their young age.
At New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry, we understand kids and will get to know your child as an individual. We genuinely care about your child’s oral health and want to see them maintain a bright smile into adulthood. If you have any questions about restorative dentistry for children, please get in touch with us to schedule an appointment for your child today.