Fillings Cavities in Children

Filling cavities in children’s teeth can help restore teeth damaged by tooth decay. There are several types of fillings like gold, silver, plastic, and porcelain that can protect children’s smiles.

Find out what to expect during a cavity filling, as well as how to prevent more cavities from forming, and where to find affordable care.

What to Expect With Cavity Fillings

When your child has a cavity filled, his or her dentist will first check for and remove any signs of tooth decay. After, the dentist will clean the area and fill the tooth by using one of several filling materials:

• Gold—Gold fillings are a great option for children that have already developed their permanent teeth. While they are often the most expensive filling, they can last up to 20 years and rarely irritate the gums.

• Silver—Silver fillings are less expensive than gold, but are highly resistant to natural wear. Silver fillings are dark in color, making them not ideal for front-tooth cavities.

• Composite—Plastic composite resins can be designed to match the color of your child’s tooth. Composite resins are less durable than other filling types, and may need to be replaced over time. They typically last about 10 years.

• Porcelain—Porcelain fillings can be matched to the color of your child’s teeth and are heavily stain-resistant. This is one of the more expensive filling types, but is a good option for teeth that have larger cavities, as porcelain caps are bonded to cover most of your child’s tooth.

The cost of filling a cavity in a child is typically between $50 to $90 (plus the cost of a dental exam), depending on your location, the state of decay, what type of filling material is used, and which tooth is getting filled.

Affordable Dental Care With Kool Smiles

At Kool Smiles, our trusted network of dentists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and dental care specialists provide quality and affordable care for children. Our offices are kid-friendly, with many having playgrounds and activities to help pass the time while you and your dentist speak about filling cavities your child may have.

We have more than 120 locations nationwide and accept most major insurance providers including State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), TRICARE, Medicaid and more to meet your budget and needs.

Find a Kool Smiles location near you or call us today if your child is in need of a cavity filling. 

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Sources:

Colgate: colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/procedures/fillings/article/what-is-a-filling

Health CostHelper: health.costhelper.com/cavity-filling.html