Cavities and Fillings in San Tan Valley, AZ

Dental fillings are used to treat different dental problems like cavities and broken teeth. Teeth are usually filled with a material called composite resin, which is designed to look like natural teeth. Fillings can also be done with gold, porcelain, or silver amalgam. Composite resin takes a little longer, though most people still prefer it because it creates natural-looking teeth. It takes more than one layer, and a special light is used to harden the area around the filling.

• Tooth-colored composite that looks natural
• Treats cavities and repairs broken teeth
• Placed in layers and set with a curing light
• Gentle, well-explained approach for children
• Nitrous oxide available where appropriate

Decay progresses faster through a child's tooth than an adult's, because the enamel layer is thinner and the nerve is proportionally closer to the surface. A cavity left for a few months can go from something quickly filled to something needing much more involved treatment. Treating early also keeps the appointment short and simple, which matters enormously for a child's confidence. A small filling done calmly is a very different experience from an emergency visit for a painful tooth, and children remember the difference. Untreated decay in a baby tooth can also cause infection and pain, and losing that tooth early can affect how the permanent tooth beneath it comes through.

Everything is explained to your child in terms they understand before it happens — what each instrument does and what it will feel like. Surprises are what frighten children, so we remove them. The area is numbed, the decay is removed, and the composite is placed in layers, each hardened with a curing light before the next is added. The shade is matched to the surrounding teeth. The bite is checked at the end so it feels normal when your child closes. Afterward, remind your child not to chew or bite their lip or cheek until the numbness fully wears off — that is the most common cause of a sore mouth after a filling. Composite sets hard immediately, so there is no waiting to eat beyond that. Nitrous oxide is available where appropriate if your child is anxious.