Resins
What Type of Fillings Do Dentists Use on Kids?
Have you been told by a pediatric dentist in Smyrna, GA that your child needs to have some fillings? If so, you probably want a little more information first.
What Type of Fillings Do Dentists Use on Kids?
The most common type of fillings dentists use on kids are composite resin fillings. These are made of composite resin or glass ionomer and are a tooth-colored restorative material.
The procedure for composite resin fillings is relatively simple. The dentist will remove the child’s tooth decay and then fill the remaining hole with a white composite resin material (filling). However, sometimes a dentist might recommend a stainless-steel crown instead.
When Would a Child Need a Stainless-Steel Crown?
If any of a child’s baby teeth have significant tooth decay or if a child’s tooth decay extends to the nerve, the dentist might recommend a stainless-steel crown instead of a composite resin filling in Smyrna, GA.
What Are Stainless Steel Crowns?
Stainless steel crowns are caps shaped like a tooth and placed over an entire existing tooth. These are sometimes used in pediatric dentistry to preserve a child’s significantly decayed or damaged tooth.
What about Amalgam Dental Fillings?
Amalgam fillings are made up of a combination of metals that consist of mercury, copper, silver, and tin. The chemical properties of mercury react and bind the other metals to make an amalgam. The use of amalgam dental fillings varies from dentist to dentist and even though there is some controversy, there are millions of amalgam dental fillings still being used.
Some pediatric dentists in Smyrna, GA say the mercury in amalgam fillings may be released into the mouth when your child chews. Additionally, some studies have shown that mercury fillings cause an increase in mercury levels in a child’s brain and other organs. This is a concern for parents because mercury is toxic and only a small amount can cause major health problems. The FDA says that studies do not show conclusive evidence of this. However, they also say that children under the age of six with mercury allergies, neurological impairment, or kidney dysfunction might be more susceptible to the effects of mercury.
What’s Next?
If you need a pediatric dentist in Smyrna, GA, please Contact Smyrna Pediatric Dentistry today. We have earned 250+ certified 5-Star reviews on Google and Facebook. And, we are a one-doctor board-certified pediatric practice so your child can get to know and trust their dentist.
Sources
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-amalgam-fillings/information-patients-about-dental-amalgam-fillings
