Composite fillings, also known as tooth-colored fillings, are fillings made from durable plastics that resemble the color of natural teeth. Their color allows them to blend in with the surrounding tooth structure and maintain a natural appearance compared to other types of fillings. Composite fillings are also compatible with dental sealants, which allows our pediatric dentists to complete both filling and sealant procedures during a single office visit.
Did You Know?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) around 1 out of every 5 children ages 5-11 and 1 out of every 7 children ages 12-19 have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Tooth decay that is not thoroughly treated can eventually result in problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does my child need a composite filling?
If your child has a small to medium cavity that requires a filling, then composite fillings may be the best choice. Not only will composite fillings prevent further tooth decay, but they can be used in coordination with dental sealants, which will prevent tooth decay from occurring elsewhere. To find out if a composite filling is the right choice for your child, schedule a consultation with Battery Park Pediatrics today.
Why should my child get a composite filling?
Composite fillings have many benefits including their ability to match the surrounding teeth, their ability to be bonded to the tooth for support, they preserve natural tooth structure by requiring less removal, and their ability to be used to repair broken, chipped, or worn teeth. When compared to amalgam, or metal fillings, composite fillings offer a more natural appearance, are less likely to cause an allergic reaction, do not corrode, and preserves more natural tooth structure.
What should my child expect when getting a composite filling?
When your child gets a composite filling, the part of their mouth being worked on will be numbed to keep them comfortable. Depending on your child’s age and temperament, they may also be sedated to keep them calm and still during the procedure. Battery Park’s pediatric dentists will then use a dental drill to gently remove the decayed tooth tissue and clean out any remaining debris or bacteria. Once the cavity has been completely cleaned, the composite resin will be used to fill the cavity. The composite resin will be layered on and each layer will be hardened using a special curing light. When all the layers have been applied, our pediatric dentists will conclude the procedure by shaping and polishing the filling.
What should my child expect after getting a composite filling?
After your child gets their composite filling, they can return to their normal activities since the composite filling is completely hardened into place during the procedure. However, they may need to refrain from eating until their numbness wears off so they don’t accidentally bite their cheeks or tongue. They may also need to recover from the sedation and may be groggy depending on the level of sedation used.
In the days following their composite filling procedure, your child may complain about pain when they eat or drink things that are hot and cold. This temperature sensitivity is normal for a few days after their procedure, however if it continues beyond a week call our office for further instruction.
How long will my child’s composite filling last?
Your child’s composite filling will last for about 5 years, maybe longer if well taken care of. To keep your child’s composite filling lasting as long as possible, make sure your child brushes twice a day, flosses once a day, and visits Battery Park Pediatrics every six months for their dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning. You will also want to prevent your child from detrimental behaviors that could damage their composite filling such as chewing ice, biting their nails, or using their teeth as an opener.
When will my child’s composite filling need to be replaced?
Our pediatric dentists will evaluate your child’s composite filling at their dental checkups and monitor it for signs of wear using a probe called an explorer. The explorer will be used to check the borders of the composite filling to determine if it is still properly adhered to the tooth. Finding weak spots in the border of the composite filling usually results in the filling needing to be replaced. Additionally, if your child starts suddenly complaining about pain or sensitivity in the affected tooth, then their composite filling may need to be replaced.
Can my child’s composite filling fall out?
Although composite fillings can fall out, regular dental checkups significantly reduce this risk. In most cases, composite fillings fall out because they are coming loose and need to be replaced. Our pediatric dentists will check the filling’s borders at every dental checkup and can replace a worn filling before it has a chance to come loose and fall out. Another reason fillings fall out is because one of the aforementioned detrimental behaviors has dislodged them. Monitoring your child and reminding them not to chew ice, bite their nails, or use their teeth as an opener can minimize the risk of their composite filling falling out. If your child’s composite filling falls out, call our office for further instruction.
How are composite fillings replaced?
Composite fillings are replaced by first removing the existing filling and then placing an entirely new filling. If only a small area of the filling needs attention, the filling may be repaired instead. Composite filling repairs are also commonly performed on molars to preserve the remaining tooth structure. Repairing a filling consists of buffering the affected area and then layering composite resin as needed.
How much will my child’s composite filling cost?
Composite fillings generally range from about $135-$240 per filling, depending on the size and location of the filling. If you have dental insurance, you may be able to obtain partial coverage for composite fillings.
For the best pediatric dentist in Battery Park City, schedule a consultation with Battery Park Pediatrics. We are proud to provide a wide range of pediatric dental services to the communities of Brookfield Place, TriBeCa, Lower Manhattan, and Wall Street.