How We Repair A Child’s Tooth

Posted June 6, 2024

When your little one chips or cracks a tooth or complains about a toothache caused by a cavity, then this means a tooth is in need of repair. Otherwise, infection and even premature tooth loss could occur! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about how we repair little smiles with fillings, crowns, and more.

Signs of Tooth Decay and Infection

When you bring your child in for a checkup and cleaning every six months, then this is a chance for our team to take a close look at the teeth. With digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, our team can make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, identifying problems in their earliest stages. We catch cavities before your children experience discomfort! Otherwise, you may not know your child needs treatment until he or she complains about a toothache, at which point the cavity has reached a more advanced stage, threatening your child’s smile stability.

Dental Emergencies

Teeth could also require repair following a dental emergency. When your child chips or cracks a tooth, then you should bring them to us right away. Even outside of normal business hours, just give us a call so we can arrange for a time to see your child. In the meantime, have them rinse with warm water, and use cloth or gauze to control the bleeding. A cold compress to the side of the face can also fight swelling. Bring any pieces of the tooth with you if possible. Treatment not only improves the appearance of the smile but limits the risk of complications like tooth decay and dental infection.

Fillings

When a tooth develops a cavity, or has minor damage, then we could help with composite resin. Instead of using metal as part of our fillings, we have a metal-free option that is safe for kids of all ages. The material is a special blend of glass-like and acrylic-like particles, which we can shade to blend with the rest of the tooth and with the smile as a whole. The placement process is simple. We will numb the tooth and remove any decay, before we clean it thoroughly. We then prepare and apply the material in several layers. Our team will sculpt the tooth composite resin material as it cures beneath a light. This can treat cavities and even repair minor damage to the teeth. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. The entire process only takes one visit!

Crowns

If your little one sustains more severe damage or tooth decay more advanced than a filling can handle, we could save the tooth by placing a crown. The restoration caps the tooth and covers the visible portion of it. To place it, we will first numb the tooth being treated and then remove structure to make room for the completed restoration. We then place the crown with a powerful bonding agent. For the side and rear teeth, which must endure greater bite forces, our team could opt for stainless steel. For the front facing teeth, which are more visible, we could use NuSmile zirconia, providing a more lifelike appearance.

Pulpotomies

When the decay or damage is severe enough that a tooth is infected or too decayed or a filling or crown, we could provide a pulpotomy, a root canal alternative for kids. The procedure is similar to a root canal.   We numb the tooth and open it to access the inner tissues. But instead of removing everything in the inside of the tooth and the root canals, we will remove a portion of the tissues and add a special medicated filling. For some, this completes the experience, while others may need a crown to finish the treatment. This helps stop discomfort and prevents the loss of the tooth, so your child doesn’t develop a higher risk of dental misalignment.

If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat injuries to the teeth with our dental restorations, then contact our team today. We would also discuss mouthguards to safeguard teeth for kids who play summer sports. We want to help your little one enjoy a comfortable smile, with results that look good and safeguard the stability of their teeth!

Do You Have Questions About Our Restorative Treatments?

Our team offers a full range of treatments to improve the health, function, and beauty of little smiles. To learn more about repairing and restoring little smiles, then please contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.