Dental Fillings For a Child

Children also commonly experience cavities, even if they have great oral hygiene and a healthy diet. Dental fillings for children are often completed as quickly as they are for adults, although there are a few additional factors to consider. For example, children under the age of five might need anesthesia if they are unable to sit still for the duration of the treatment. Due to this, your child's appointment might be longer, especially if they need to recover afterward from the anesthesia. You can discuss your child's necessary accommodations with your dentist and also confirm how long the filling process will take.

Recovering After a Dental Filling

Most patients will notice that their dental fillings heal swiftly and without complications. As the anesthetic effect lessens, your tooth might experience sensitivity for a day or two. You can limit tooth sensitivity by following these steps: chewing on the other side of your mouth for two days gently brushing and flossing around the filling avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages avoiding acidic foods brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste asking your dentist about a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription Inform your dentist if your bite feels misaligned or if you experience any extensive pain or sensitivity. Your dentist can modify the filling surface to correct your bite.

Pain Following a Dental Filling

When the filling is completed, you may experience slight discomfort in the area near your dental work for a few hours. If you are highly uncomfortable, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever or apply a small amount of heat or an ice pack to your jaw. Anesthesia wears off completely in two to seven hours, so you might feel slight discomfort as your nerves regain their normal function. You are encouraged to avoid acidic foods, sticky foods, and cold foods for a day or two to ensure that the cavity is completely sealed and that you do not experience further discomfort.

How to Know If You Need a Dental Filling

Routine dental checkups allow your dentist to identify a cavity early and offer immediate treatment, which will provide you with a superior and more comfortable outcome (treatment will be less invasive than if you were to visit your dentist less regularly and the issue is discovered at a more advanced stage). Symptoms of a possible cavity include: tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages sensitivity to sugary foods and beverages extensive discomfort in a tooth a hole or pit within a tooth a significant tooth stain, whether it is white or a darker color If you believe that you have a cavity, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately. They will confirm whether you require a filling or another form of treatment.

Dental Fillings

Effective, Natural-Looking Fillings for Tooth Decay

Cavities are one of the most common oral health concerns and nearly everyone will need a filling at some point. At Powell Valley Dental, we provide dental fillings as a quick and effective solution to treat decay, protect your tooth structure, and restore comfortable function.

The procedure is typically fast and painless. Your dentist removes the decay, cleans the area, and fills it with durable material that blends naturally with your smile.

Filling Options That Fit Your Smile

We offer a range of dental filling materials to meet different needs, budgets, and preferences:

Silver-Colored Fillings (Amalgam): A durable blend of metals, ideal for molars.
Gold Fillings: Long-lasting and strong, though more noticeable and expensive.
White Fillings (Composite Resin): Tooth-colored and great for visible areas.
Porcelain Fillings (Inlays/Onlays): Lab-made and stain-resistant, suited for larger cavities.

Most fillings take under an hour to complete. Simple fillings may be done in 20 minutes, while inlays or multiple fillings might take longer or require a second visit, depending on the material used.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Your dentist will begin by examining your tooth and possibly taking an X-ray. After numbing the area with local anesthetic, the decay is removed using a dental drill.

Once cleaned, the cavity is filled and, if needed, hardened with a special light. The tooth is then polished, and your bite is adjusted to ensure comfort. Mild soreness or sensitivity is common once the numbing wears off. Avoiding hot or cold foods for a day or two can help reduce discomfort.

Dental Fillings FAQ

Dental Fillings For a Child
Children also commonly experience cavities, even if they have great oral hygiene and a healthy diet. Dental fillings for children are often completed as quickly as they are for adults, although there are a few additional factors to consider.

For example, children under the age of five might need anesthesia if they are unable to sit still for the duration of the treatment. Due to this, your child's appointment might be longer, especially if they need to recover afterward from the anesthesia.

You can discuss your child's necessary accommodations with your dentist and also confirm how long the filling process will take.
Recovering After a Dental Filling
Most patients will notice that their dental fillings heal swiftly and without complications. As the anesthetic effect lessens, your tooth might experience sensitivity for a day or two. You can limit tooth sensitivity by following these steps:

chewing on the other side of your mouth for two days
gently brushing and flossing around the filling
avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages
avoiding acidic foods
brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste
asking your dentist about a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription

Inform your dentist if your bite feels misaligned or if you experience any extensive pain or sensitivity. Your dentist can modify the filling surface to correct your bite.
Pain Following a Dental Filling
When the filling is completed, you may experience slight discomfort in the area near your dental work for a few hours. If you are highly uncomfortable, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever or apply a small amount of heat or an ice pack to your jaw.

Anesthesia wears off completely in two to seven hours, so you might feel slight discomfort as your nerves regain their normal function.

You are encouraged to avoid acidic foods, sticky foods, and cold foods for a day or two to ensure that the cavity is completely sealed and that you do not experience further discomfort.
How to Know If You Need a Dental Filling
Routine dental checkups allow your dentist to identify a cavity early and offer immediate treatment, which will provide you with a superior and more comfortable outcome (treatment will be less invasive than if you were to visit your dentist less regularly and the issue is discovered at a more advanced stage). Symptoms of a possible cavity include:

tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages
sensitivity to sugary foods and beverages
extensive discomfort in a tooth
a hole or pit within a tooth
a significant tooth stain, whether it is white or a darker color

If you believe that you have a cavity, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately. They will confirm whether you require a filling or another form of treatment.