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The dental superheroes at Dr. C Kids Dentistry are committed to keeping your child’s teeth as healthy as possible. That said, even children with the best preventive care can still get cavities due to inconsistent teeth-brushing, orthodontic issues, dietary factors, or even genetics.
If your child is diagnosed with a small or large cavity, we can treat the tooth gently and quickly - from start to finish! We offer the very best tooth-colored dental fillings and crowns for kids because we use the power of laser dentistry to treat decay. With laser dentistry, your child can get the crown or filling they need, oftentimes without the need for needles, drills, or numbing medications. This means a quicker - and more comfortable - time in the dentist’s chair!
Symptoms Of Cavities In Children
Did you know that baby teeth are significantly more susceptible to cavities than adult teeth? That’s why it’s essential to screen for cavities through extensive exams and regular x-rays. Though cavities may be painless for some children, your child may exhibit the following symptoms (if they do, schedule an appointment at our Spokane Valley kids' dental office right away!):
- Tooth pain
- Food catching inside their teeth
- Difficulty eating
- Abscesses along the gumline
- Visible discoloration of the tooth
Restorative Treatment for Baby Teeth
Like adult teeth, baby teeth require plenty of TLC - even though they aren’t permanent. For example, if we discover a small cavity that doesn't present a risk of spreading decay into the nerve or other teeth very soon, we may find it’s more effective to watch it and place your child on a prescription-strength mineral treatment.
Unfortunately, pulling the tooth instead of filling it can cause more harm than good. It’s best to repair the area of decay. Premature tooth loss has a significant impact on the biting patterns of your child’s smile, which could result in significant orthodontic needs later on.
Tooth-Colored Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are custom-made artificial caps that are placed onto a previously decayed tooth. Our dentists use lasers to remove all infected parts of the tooth with the cavity.
Once the decay is removed, we will cover the tooth with a durable, tooth-colored dental crown designed to blend in perfectly with the rest of the smile. Crowns are bonded to the anchoring piece of the natural tooth, making the crown a long-lasting option for both baby teeth and permanent teeth.
Although this seems like a pretty complicated procedure, it is very common and beneficial for the patient. Remember, dental crowns help keep the neighboring teeth and gums from spreading infections. When left untreated, your child could be at risk for developing orthodontic issues, tooth loss, and more.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
At Dr. C Kids Dentistry, we exclusively treat small cavities with amalgam-free, tooth-colored dental fillings. Like our crown treatments, we use dental lasers to remove decay, offering a more comfortable experience than with traditional shots and drills.
Because they are smaller, dental fillings require less tooth preparation and provide a tighter bond against enamel, preventing bacteria from causing recurrent tooth decay.
Depending on the extent of the cavity, it may sometimes be necessary to provide pulp therapy, an indirect pulp cap, or a stainless steel crown. It’s best to preserve the baby tooth for as long as possible, so that it falls out at an appropriate oral developmental stage.
Amalgam-Free Fillings & Crowns for Kids
Our dentists are here to ensure that your child’s smile remains healthy for years to come! Call today to schedule your child’s restorative appointment.
