Dental Treatment for Tooth Decay (Cavities)

Treatment for tooth decay can help prevent tooth damage from leading to cavities.

This is why it is so important for you to regularly visit Dr. Fisher at The Kids Dentist.

Dental treatment for decay may involve:

• Dental Fillings: Dentists fill teeth by removing the decayed tooth material and replacing it with composite resin, a “white” filling material.
• Crowns: Crowns or “caps” are used if tooth decay is extensive and there is limited tooth structure, which may cause weakened teeth.
• Root Canal/Pulpotomy: A root canal is recommended if the nerve in a tooth dies from decay or injury.  A pulpotomy is a form of a root canal that is commonly done on primary teeth.

When a child gets a cavity, the infected part of the tooth usually needs to be removed and replaced or covered with a strong material so that the entire tooth doesn’t become infected. If left untreated, tooth decay can seriously harm surrounding tissues. Dentistry has come a long way in developing esthetic materials that can comfortably repair a broken or sick tooth.

Tooth Fillings in Children

White “tooth colored” fillings are done using a material called “composite resin”. To place this filling, a dentist may or may not have to get a tooth numb for patient comfort and safety through the procedure. Then, a dentist may place a rubber dam around the tooth to protect surrounding tissues like tongue, cheeks, etc. This also keeps the working field as clean as possible. High-speed tools are used to quickly remove the infected area of the tooth and clean it out. Layers of material are rinsed, dried, and light cured to build it back into a strong tooth capable of chewing, supporting speech, and smiling beautifully.

Root Canals in Children

If a cavity is too deep, the pulp of the tooth may require treatment. This is the innermost area where a unique nerve and blood vessel keep every tooth alive. In baby teeth, pulp treatment is usually much less complicated than when adults get root canals. If the pulp need to be treated, a tooth will sometimes need a strong metal cover (“stainless steel crown”) to protect it until the time it would naturally fall out.

Dental metal Spacers in Children

When tooth decay is severe enough to cause pain and may be infecting the surrounding gums, a child is much better off with that tooth extracted than left alone. To prevent other teeth from crowding into the space where it used to be, a dentist might recommend placing a metal spacer in that area so that the grown up tooth under the baby tooth can come up easily. These spacers are temporary measure to prevent bigger problems like tooth impaction down the road.

Sedation Dentistry for Children

If your child is particularly anxious or fearful, a dentist may suggest using nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to help cope with dental treatment. It’s a safe and effective way to help control pain and anxiety in an outpatient setting. It begins working almost immediately after a child starts breathing it in through a soft mask and the effects wear away just as quickly after treatment is completed. Children can return to school without any residual effects or altered state.

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