Restorative

Pediatric Restoration Techniques and Modalities

Dental restorations are procedures to repair a damaged or decayed tooth. The restorations most frequently made in children are fillings after a cavity has been discovered in either a primary or permanent tooth.

Dental fillings are used to improve the appearance and functionality of teeth affected by damage or decay. The filling materials help to even out tooth surfaces for more efficient biting and chewing.

These restorations can last for many years and help keep the tooth looking and functioning at its best.

Restorations can be made from a number of different materials;

• Composite fillings are made of a glass or quartz filler within a resin medium that produces a tooth-colored material. They are often used in small to mid-size restorations, as they provide strength, durability and resistance to fracture. The shade of composite fillings is made to closely match the patient's actual teeth, so that other people will not be aware that dental work has been done.
• Glass ionomers are also tooth-colored fillings that are made of a mixture of acrylic and glass, and are most often used in young children, as they release fluoride. However, this material is weaker than composites and usually lasts less than five years before a replacement is needed.
• Amalgam fillings are silver colored fillings that have been used for many years and can be relatively inexpensive compared to other materials. Although occasionally still used in dentistry, our doctors generally no longer place amalgam fillings because of advancements in dental technology and the availability of superior, non-metal materials.
• Crowns may also be used in pediatric dental restorations when a tooth has been badly damaged due to cavities or congenital defects. It is essential to keep the space of the tooth occupied so that other teeth do not shift and become misaligned as well as to prevent bone loss.