Although an unpleasant fact, cavities are quite common among children. According to the CDC, over half of the children aged 6 to 8 years old have at least one cavity in their primary teeth.
If your child has a cavity, you may want to know what the best course of action is. Will they need a filling or a crown?
This short blog post might offer some answers.
What Is a Dental Filling and When Does Your Child Need One?
Dental fillings are a combination of materials that are used to treat small cavities as well as repair and restore a decayed tooth.
The dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and fills it with the filling material to restore it.
Dental fillings can be used even if the child still has their baby teeth.
How About Dental Crowns?
Pediatric dental crowns are caps that cover the entire tooth. They are used for bigger cavities, where a larger portion of the tooth has been damaged.
These caps have the same shape as the tooth and are used to protect the tooth and restore its strength and function.
Dental Fillings or Dental Crowns - Which One Is Better for My Child?
The best way to answer this question is to visit your pediatric dentist for a proper evaluation. Based on their examination, the dentist can tell you what option is best for your child. They can also let you know what you can expect and how to prepare your child for the procedure.
The dentist may recommend a dental filling if the decay is small and the damage to the tooth is not that impactful. On the other hand, if the tooth has been severely affected by the decay, then they might use a dental crown to restore it.
Why Should You Bother Treating Your Child's Cavities?
Baby teeth will eventually fall out, so why go through all this trouble?
Caring for your child's baby teeth is the best way to ensure that they will have good oral health later on.
If you leave a cavity untreated, it can lead to tooth loss; and premature baby tooth loss can affect the proper development of your kid's adult teeth.
Does Your Child Have a Cavity? Call Us Right Now!
If you are not sure if your child needs a pediatric filling or pediatric crown, the team at Campfire Pediatric Dentistry can help you.
We will examine your child, decide what the best treatment is, and teach you how to take better care of their oral health.
If you would like to meet us, get in touch today and schedule an appointment.
And, if you want to find more information about common oral health issues in children or tips for taking care of your little one's teeth, we encourage you to read our blog.
