Dental Fillings
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting in the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a cavity. Most cavities can be treated by placing a filling in the tooth.
Treatment
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When a dentist treats your child with a filling, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material, which closes off spaces where bacteria can enter.
At Abdoney Pediatric Dentistry we use composite (plastic) resins, or glass ionomer which are matched to be the same color as your teeth, creating a desired natural appearance. Sometimes when decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of the tooth, a crown (or cap) may be recommended. Decay that has reached the nerve may be treated in two ways: through root canal therapy (in which nerve damaged nerve is removed) or through a procedure called pulp capping (which attempts to keep the nerve alive).
During all dental procedures we will do everything possible to make your child comfortable. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help relax our patients. In addition, we have televisions to distract our patients, and allow parents to go back to the treatment rooms.
