Tooth-Colored Fillings for Kids in Wichita & Derby, KS
At ICTeeth Pediatric Dentistry, we know that even with excellent oral hygiene, children may still get cavities. In fact, about half of children ages 6 to 9 have had a cavity in a baby tooth or a permanent tooth. When your child needs a filling, our team provides gentle restorative treatments designed specifically for kids, including tooth-colored fillings that blend in with your child’s natural teeth.
Whether your child has a small cavity or a tooth that needs repair, our team is here to help protect and strengthen their smile.
Why Choose Us
- We have six talented pediatric dentists
- We have an amazing team who love small faces and big smiles
- Parents love the fun and positive experience for their kids
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings, also called white fillings or composite fillings, are made from a special acrylic resin strengthened with powdered glass. The color can be matched closely to your child’s surrounding teeth, so the filling blends right in when your child talks, laughs, and smiles.
Tooth-colored fillings offer several benefits for kids:
- A natural look that blends in with tooth enamel
- Less removal of healthy tooth, because the material bonds directly to the tooth
- A good fit for both front and back teeth
- Resin and glass instead of the mercury-based alloy used in silver fillings
The FDA strongly encourages non-amalgam fillings, such as composite resin, for children, especially those younger than 6, when the dentist considers them appropriate for the tooth.
Glass ionomer is another tooth-colored material. It releases fluoride over time and works best for very small fillings. Your child’s dentist will talk with you about the best option based on where the cavity is and how much decay there is.
Dr. Stephen P. Moore
Dr. David J. Brown
Dr. Trey K. Anderson
Dr. Amrita Khemka
Dr. Kristal Raya
Dr. Kelsey Martinez
Why Baby Teeth Need Fillings Too
You may wonder why a baby tooth needs a filling if it will fall out someday. The answer is that baby teeth have important jobs! They help your child chew and speak, give the face its shape, and save space for adult teeth to come in correctly. If a baby tooth is lost too early, nearby teeth can shift into the open space, leaving less room for the adult tooth.
Most children begin losing baby teeth around age 5 or 6 and continue until about age 12 or 13, so some baby teeth need to stay healthy for years. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that make it harder for kids to eat, speak, play, and learn. When it comes to treating cavities, the earlier the better.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Filling Visit
We understand that early dental experiences shape how children feel about visiting the dentist for the rest of their lives. That is why our team works hard to make every visit positive, educational, and stress free.
A tooth-colored filling can usually be completed in one visit. During your child’s appointment, one of our pediatric dentists will:
- Numb the tooth so your child stays comfortable
- Remove the decayed part of the tooth
- Keep the tooth clean and dry while the filling is placed
- Apply a bonding adhesive, followed by thin layers of tooth-colored material
- Harden the filling with a special curing light
- Polish the filling smooth and check your child’s bite
Our team uses kid-friendly communication and gentle techniques to explain each step in a way children can understand. This helps reduce anxiety and builds trust with our young patients.
Sedation Options for Anxious Kids
Some children feel anxious about dental visits or need extra support during treatment. ICTeeth offers sedation options, including nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to help children feel relaxed and comfortable. Learn more about sedation dentistry and special needs dentistry.
When a Pediatric Crown Is the Better Fit
Tooth-colored fillings work well for small to mid-size cavities. If a cavity is large or the tooth handles heavy chewing pressure, a different type of restoration may be recommended. ICTeeth also provides pediatric dental crowns, and our team will explain which option is right for your child’s tooth.
Caring for Your Child’s New Filling
After your child’s appointment, keep these tips in mind:
- Wait until the numbness wears off before eating so your child doesn’t bite the inside of their cheek
- Watch for mild sensitivity to hot and cold, which can last a few days or up to a week, and call us if it lasts longer
- Call us right away if the filling breaks or your child has severe pain that medicine doesn’t help, a swollen face or jaw, or a fever
A healthy diet, good brushing habits, and regular checkups help fillings last as long as possible.
Preventing Future Cavities in Wichita & Derby, KS
Education is also a big part of what we do. Along with teaching healthy habits at home, we offer preventive treatments that help protect your child’s smile.
Digital Dental X-Rays
X-rays help us detect cavities between teeth that we can’t see during a visual exam.
Fluoride Treatments
We apply a concentrated fluoride varnish that helps rebuild weakened enamel.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are thin, protective coatings for the grooves of the back teeth, where food and bacteria often get trapped.
Tooth-Colored Filling FAQs
The area is numbed with local anesthesia, so a filling shouldn’t hurt. If your child feels any discomfort, the dentist can give more numbing medication.
Eating won’t damage the new filling, but waiting until the numbness wears off helps your child avoid biting their cheek.
Not if they are in good condition. The FDA does not recommend removing amalgam fillings in good condition unless a health care professional considers it medically necessary. Removing them takes away healthy tooth structure and temporarily increases mercury vapor exposure.
Coverage depends on your plan. Visit our Finances and Insurance page to learn more about the plans we work with.
Schedule a Pediatric Dental Appointment in Wichita or Derby, KS
ICTeeth Pediatric Dentistry has cared for Wichita families since Dr. Stephen Moore founded the practice in 1976. Whether your child needs a checkup, a filling, or a little extra support, we’re here to help.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us today to schedule your child’s visit at our NE Wichita, West Wichita, or Smile Safari Derby location!
–“Squirtlechu”.
