When Is a Pulpotomy Necessary?
If your child has a cavity that’s reached past the outer part of the tooth, they may need a pulpotomy, also called a “baby root canal.” Learn when to consider the procedure and what it involves.
Consider These Benefits of Composite Restoration
When you think of dental restorations, your mind might go to old-fashioned silver fillings — and maybe you even have a few of those yourself. Fortunately, dental restorations have evolved significantly in recent years, and your children can reap the benefits.
At Kids Dental Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, our experienced board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Bosede Adeniji offers composite dental restorations. This versatile child-friendly solution for cavities, cracks, and chips provides several benefits.
Understanding composite resin
Composite resin is a durable tooth restoration material. It’s made of an acrylic material along with ceramic particles or other materials to create different shades of white. Much like amalgam (metal) fillings, composite resin can fill areas of the tooth lost to decay or damage.
Composite resin can also improve the general appearance of teeth and conceal imperfections. It’s appropriate for all ages. Here are some benefits of composite resin to consider next time your child needs tooth restoration.
Natural appearance
Composite resin copies the shade and texture of natural tooth enamel remarkably well. Dr. Adeniji creates composite resin just before she restores the tooth, ensuring an exact match for the color of your child’s natural teeth. It looks so natural that nobody will even know it’s a restoration.
Minimally invasive
Composite resin is a direct restoration, which means Dr. Adeniji has to remove very minimal amounts of healthy tooth structure to repair your child’s tooth. She performs the procedure inside your child’s mouth, adding the composite to the tooth. In contrast, other restorations, like crowns, require more tooth removal, and the restorations are created in a lab.
Durability
With proper care, a composite restoration can last for many years — and that means it’s unlikely you’ll need to replace it before your child’s adult teeth emerge. When your child’s adult teeth come in, their composite resin restoration falls out as part of the tooth.
Safe and effective
Composite resin is free of harmful substances, ensuring your child’s health and safety. In contrast, silver fillings are made of dental amalgam, which contains potentially harmful materials like mercury.
Quick application
Composite restorations take just one visit in our office, while other types of restoration such as crowns take a couple of visits.
Caring for composite restorations
Maintaining your composite resin restoration is very simple. In general, just make sure your child keeps up with a standard oral hygiene routine to take care of their teeth and the restorations.
Dr. Adeniji and our team are always happy to talk with young patients and their parents, so don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. For the most part, oral hygiene is easy for kids: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss every day.
Routine checkups are also essential for ensuring restorations stay intact and teeth remain healthy. Generally, we recommend twice-yearly pediatric dentistry checkups with Dr. Adeniji.
It’s important to help your child learn what to avoid. For example, chewing on pencils at school, eating ice, or nibbling on any nonfood objects can cause composite damage, just as it can damage natural tooth enamel.
If your child plays sports, consider a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth and composite restorations from injury.
Composite resin restorations in Greenbelt
Caring for your child’s teeth is an investment in their overall wellness. At Kids Dental Center, we provide the gentle, compassionate care your child deserves. Whether it’s fixing a cavity, chip, or crack, composite resin offers a reliable, attractive solution for restoring young smiles.
Call us today at 301-345-2881 or reach out online today.
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