Dental Fillings | Cavity Treatment For Kids

Nearly all kids will receive a cavity at some point in their youth. To treat a cavity, our pediatric dentist uses a procedure called a dental filling. Generally, it is a painless and quick procedure. Your child's filling works to prevent additional tooth decay and allows the affected tooth to function as it normally would.


Children commonly experience cavities, even if they have great oral hygiene and a healthy diet. Dental fillings for children are often completed as quickly as they are for adults, although there are a few additional factors to consider. For example, children under the age of five might need anesthesia if they are unable to sit still for the duration of the treatment. Due to this, your child's appointment might be longer, especially if they need to recover afterward from the anesthesia. You can discuss your child's necessary accommodations with our pediatric dentist and also confirm how long the filling process will take.

Types Of Dental Fillings 

Here are some of the more common options for dental fillings:

  • White Fillings (Composites) | A mix of glass or quartz particles and acrylic resin, these have a color that resembles your child's natural teeth.
  • Glass Ionomer Fillings | Another tooth colored-filling, this option is less sturdy than composites. These are made of acrylic and a specific glass that contains fluoride, an ingredient in toothpaste that helps prevent cavities. Glass ionomer fillings are frequently utilized for children's teeth.
  • Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) | A quick, painless treatment that stops cavity progression without drilling or anesthesia. It is ideal for young children and those with behavioral challenges. However, it darkens the treated area and does not restore tooth structure.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Application

SDF is an alternative cavity treatment that helps manage tooth decay without the need for a traditional filling. This option is particularly useful for young children, children with behavioral challenges, or those with primary teeth that are close to naturally falling out. The key benefit of SDF is that it can be applied quickly and painlessly, making it an excellent option for patients who cannot tolerate longer procedures.


One drawback of SDF is that it turns the decayed portion of the tooth black, which may be an aesthetic concern for families. Additionally, while it stops decay, it does not restore tooth structure, so the treated tooth may still require further care in the future. When the child is ready for a traditional filling, the blackened area from SDF can be removed before filling the tooth. Despite these limitations, SDF has been a game-changing treatment that allows dentists to manage decay while reducing the need for sedation or more invasive procedures.

How Quickly Can A Filling Be Completed? 

Most children will have their dental filling applied in an hour or less and a simple filling can be completed in 20-minutes. With improved technology, our pediatric dentist can now make inlays and onlays in a single appointment; however, a larger filling or several fillings can require more time. It will also be determined by what materials you decide to use for your child's dental filling, as some options will demand additional time or a second appointment.


  • First, our pediatric dentist will examine your child's mouth and utilize dental instruments to inspect the cavity. To see how much tooth decay has occurred, they will take an X-ray of your child's tooth.
  • Your child will then receive a local anesthetic to numb the tooth area, which will prevent any discomfort. If the dental filling is on the tooth surface, our pediatric dentist might not need anesthetic.
  • After the area is effectively numb, our pediatric dentist will drill through the tooth enamel to remove the decay. Some dentists use a laser or air abrasion tool for this procedure, but that is less common than a drill.
  • Our pediatric dentist will sterilize and prepare the area for the filling. They will then fill the hole. Certain types of fillings are hardened or fixed with a blue wavelength light.
  • To complete the procedure, our pediatric dentist will polish the tooth and ensure your child's bite is functioning properly.


When the numbing effect diminishes, your child's tooth might experience slight soreness or sensitivity following the filling. Your child should not feel any discomfort, but it is recommended that they avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages for up to two days.

  • Recovering After A Dental Filling

    Most children will notice that their dental fillings heal swiftly and without complications. As the anesthetic effect lessens, your child's tooth might experience sensitivity for a day or two. You can limit tooth sensitivity by following these steps:


    • having your child chew on the other side of their mouth for two days
    • gently brushing and flossing around the filling
    • avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages
    • avoiding acidic foods
    • brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste
    • asking your child's dentist about a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription

    Inform our pediatric dentist if your child's bite feels misaligned or if they experience any extensive pain or sensitivity. Your child's dentist can modify the filling surface to correct their bite.

  • Pain Following A Dental Filling

    When the filling is completed, your child may experience slight discomfort in the area near their dental work for a few hours. If they are highly uncomfortable, you can have them take an over-the-counter pain reliever or apply a small amount of heat or an ice pack to their jaw.


    Anesthesia wears off completely in two to seven hours, so your child might feel slight discomfort as their nerves regain their normal function.


    Your child is encouraged to avoid acidic foods, sticky foods, and cold foods for a day or two to ensure that the cavity is completely sealed and that they do not experience further discomfort.

  • How To Know If You Need A Dental Filling

    Routine dental checkups allow your child's pedatric dentist to identify a cavity early and offer immediate treatment, which will provide your child with a superior and more comfortable outcome (treatment will be less invasive than if you were to bring your child to visit our pediatric dentist less regularly and the issue is discovered at a more advanced stage). Symptoms of a possible cavity include:


    • tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages
    • sensitivity to sugary foods and beverages
    • extensive discomfort in a tooth
    • a hole or pit within a tooth
    • a significant tooth stain, whether it is white or a darker color

    If you believe that your child has a cavity, schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentist immediately. They will confirm whether your child requires a filling or another form of treatment.