Some people have the mistaken idea that a child can lose a baby tooth to decay and it won’t matter, since the tooth will be lost soon anyway. But, besides being needed for chewing, baby teeth hold needed spaces for the permanent teeth that follow. If they’re not cared for and are lost prematurely, the result can be seriously jumbled permanent teeth.
White Fillings for Baby Teeth
At Louisiana Dental Group, we strongly prefer the use of white fillings for all teeth. Not only do they look better, but they are better functionally.
For primary teeth, we use one of two kinds of fillings, depending on the situation. For baby teeth at high risk of further decay, we prefer glass ionomer fillings. They’re made of a glass powder mixed with a liquid. Glass ionomer fillings slowly release fluoride, helping protect the tooth from recurrent decay. Though it’s not as durable as other filling types, its preventive effects make it the filling of choice.
For fillings in baby teeth at normal risk of decay, we opt for resin ionomer. It’s similar to glass ionomer, but the glass powder is mixed with a plastic resin. It’s like a hybrid between a pure glass ionomer and a composite. The filling is placed as a paste which is then cured with an intense light of a certain wavelength until it hardens. Resin ionomer is tougher and longer lasting than glass ionomer but doesn’t release as much fluoride.
White Fillings for Permanent Teeth
Ionomer fillings are ideal for baby teeth, but permanent teeth need a more durable solution. For years, the most popular filling was a mercury amalgam with metals such as silver, copper, and zinc. Today, we prefer modern white composite fillings.
White fillings have several advantages over amalgam. For example, they:
- Require less drilling, leaving more healthy tooth intact. Only the decayed part needs to be removed.
- Can be combined with a protective sealant over other susceptible parts of the tooth.
- Bond to the tooth, strengthening it and making it resistant to fracture.
- Resist temperature changes, so there’s no lingering sensitivity to hot or cold drinks.
- Match tooth color, so they’re don’t show when your child smiles and laughs.
To make an appointment for your child, you can call our office at (337) 984-3046. We also have an appointment request form here. Just fill it out, and we will call you.