Columbus, Ohio houses the best pediatric dentists in the state, all fully capable of providing quality fillings. Worthington Pediatric is no exception, our staff is more than capable of diagnosing when a filling is needed and treating your child with the most accurate, corresponding option available. The best way for a pediatric dentist to treat a decaying tooth while also cleaning the area is by a filling. It’s also used as a preventative measure to prevent places in your tooth where bacteria and/or decay can enter.
Your pediatric dentist has many filling options available: plastic, porcelain, silver and gold. All have their advantages and your pediatric dentist will decide which option is best suited for the situation. To give you an idea as to what goes into the decision-making process, below is some more information on the filling options available:
Plastic fillings, otherwise known as composite resins, are used to create a more natural-looking modification to the tooth. To create this appearance, the color of the plastic is a tooth color. The filling will last anywhere from 3 to 10 years depending on care. Ideally, this is suited for smaller filling as the material has the possibility of chipping or wearing out by other means over time. Due to the natural-looking color of the tooth, it is possible for staining to occur from coffee, soda or tea.
Porcelain fillings, otherwise known as inlays or onlays, are another customizable option available to your child. The adhesive materials used create a very strong bond to the tooth. It is superior to the plastic option as it can be created to match the natural color of your child’s tooth. Another benefit of the porcelain material is its stain-resistant properties. When applied, this particular filling is nearly undetectable, even under close observation. The cost is similar to a gold filling.
Amalgam (silver) fillings are a more inexpensive choice and are tolerant to wear. However, due to their dark color they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not recommended for fillings in very visible areas such as front teeth.
Gold fillings, while uncommon, are widely considered amongst practices as the best option available. This is due to the long-lasting nature of the material (20 years) and the gum tissue's general tolerance of the application. The only downside of using this material is cost; this being mostly because of the quality material, each filling being custom-made, and then cemented into place.
A filling is a natural part of life for most residents of Columbus, Ohio. Remember, if you think you may need a filling, the best thing to do is contact your local dentist immediately.