When a child develops tooth decay, this could cause painful symptoms and eventually lead to infection, which threatens the stability of the tooth. To protect their smiles, we can offer a dental filling that looks natural! In today’s blog, your Round Rock, TX, pediatric dentist talks about how we treat tooth decay with lifelike dental fillings.

The Causes of Tooth Decay

Each of our teeth are coated in enamel, a strong and protective layer that safeguards teeth against cavities. However, cavities can form when the enamel is compromised. For kids, this could be due to a diet high in sugar and starch, and a lack of brushing and flossing, which allows plaque buildup to grow in severity and then weaken outer enamel. Bacteria then read the sensitive inner structure to cause cavities. Decay will grow with time, eventually reaching the inner pulp to cause a painful infection, one that could eventually lead to premature tooth loss. Which is why cavities need to be treated, even when they form in baby teeth.

When Children Need Treatment

If your little ones attend routine checkup and cleaning every six months, then we will likely identify cavities in the earliest stages of demineralization, before discomfort develops. Otherwise, you may not know your kids need treatment until they report a toothache that doesn’t fade after a day or two. At this stage, the decay has reached a more advanced state, and care is crucial for avoiding infection and the increased risk of tooth loss. Fortunately, we can offer treatment in only one visit with a dental filling!

Placing Dental Restoration

Our team can treat cavities in only one visit with our dental fillings. First, we will examine the smile digital x-rays to identify the position and severity of the cavity. We then numb the tooth to ensure your child is comfortable. Our team will then gently remove the decay from the tooth and clean it thoroughly. We prepare and apply the filling material, a metal-free composite resin. This is shaded to blend with the tooth seamlessly. We sculpt the material as it cures beneath a light, so the tooth looks good and the overall bite is balanced. Finally, we polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In only one sitting, we treat your cavities to protect your smile!

If you have any questions about how our team treats a cavity with a lifelike dental filling, then contact our team today to learn more.

Treating Tooth Decay in Round Rock, TX

Our team is ready to help your kids maintain their best smiles with lifelike dental restorations! Give us a call at Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock at (979)472-4498 for more information or to schedule their next appointment.