Pediatric Dental Fillings

Novato Children's Dentistry is committed to providing the highest quality dental care for children in a compassionate, child-friendly environment.

Our pediatric dental fillings are designed to restore the health of your child's teeth after eradicating the dental caries, ensuring they can eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

Understanding Pediatric Dental Fillings

Dental fillings or restorations are one of the most common procedures in pediatric dentistry. We use white fillings, dental composite material, to repair minor tooth decay, prevent further damage, and build up fractured teeth. 

Our Approach to Dental Fillings

1. Child-Friendly Materials: We use tooth-colored composite resins for fillings, which blend well  with the natural color of your child's teeth, providing an aesthetically pleasing result.

2. Minimally Invasive Techniques: Our priority is to preserve as much of the healthy tooth structure as possible. We cannot grow back any portion of our teeth and the more natural tooth structure we maintain the stronger the tooth is post treatment. Of course this all depends on the extent of the cavity. That is why our main priority is education and prevention. But when treatment is necessary, our minimally invasive techniques ensure the filling process is gentle and effective.

3. Pain Management and Comfort: We understand that dental procedures can be daunting for children. Our team employs the latest in pain management techniques, including local anesthetics and sedation options when necessary. We also use soothing tones, age appropriate vocabulary, and “tell-show-do” techniques to prepare the child before and during the treatment process. Essential oil diffusion, noise canceling headphones, and personal music selection is offered to each patient to give them that personalized touch. Sometimes a child may need a parent close by holding their hand or sitting at the end of the chair. As long as the parent can be a silent observer, not breaking the child’s concentration and rapport with Dr. Espinosa or Dr. DeSimini, then we welcome the full team approach to ensure your child's comfort throughout the procedure.

Why Do We Perform Fillings On Pediatric Patients?

• Preventing Further Decay: Fillings stop decay in its tracks, preventing it from spreading and causing more serious dental issues down the line.

• Restoring Function: A filling restores the integrity of the tooth, allowing your child’s teeth to return to their normal form and function.

• Maintaining Oral Health: By treating cavities early and restoring the teeth, we can help minimize the spread of the decay and help restore the microbiome to a healthy balance. 

The Pediatric Dental Filling Process

1. Preparation: Prior to or during your child’s visit please don’t use words such as shot, needle, drill, or pain. Even if you are telling them that those things won’t happen during their visit, these spoken words will be received negatively by their subconscious and will only counteract our approach to their positive experience. Prior to the appointment, If a child is nervous or asking questions about what is going to happen at their dental appointment, we like the parents to do the following: tell your child, “that is a great question”, write down any questions or concerns that your child has, and present these questions at the beginning of the appointment. Dr. Espinosa and Dr. DeSimini will use their expertise to discuss the appointment steps with appropriate and friendly terms and tones. Our goal is to always set the child up for their greatest success at the dental office!

2. Diagnosis: Our dental team will first identify the presence of cavities through a detailed examination and, if necessary, digital x-rays.

3. Preparation: Depending on the extent and the location of the decay, the tooth may be numbed with topical and/or local anesthetic. The decay is then carefully removed with specific handpieces and instruments designed for the eradication of the decayed structure.

4. Filling: The cavity is then filled with a composite material, shaped to restore the tooth's natural form, and cured or hardened with a special light.

5. Finishing Touches: Finally, the filling is trimmed, shaped, and polished to ensure a smooth, comfortable bite.

Schedule Your Child's Appointment Today

At Novato Children's Dentistry, we're dedicated to ensuring your child's dental experience is positive, from the moment you walk through our door to the completion of their treatment. If your child has a cavity or you suspect they might, don't wait! Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a pediatric dental filling. Together, we can protect your child's smile and promote their overall dental health.