Pediatric Dental Fillings

Name: ChildSmiles OC Pediatric Dentistry
Address: 166 N Raymond Ave, Fullerton, CA, 92831
Telephone: (714) 253-3172
Rating: 5.0

In Fullerton

When your little one has a cavity, it can compromise their overall oral health and leave them with a lingering toothache. There’s no need to let sugar bugs get the best of their grin! Get your child’s smile back on track with pediatric dental fillings.

Schedule
your checkup

Visit
our practice

Call
(714) 253-3172

When your child’s tooth becomes infected or severely damaged, saving it may require specialized endodontic treatment. Unlike adult teeth, children’s primary and developing permanent teeth have unique characteristics that require careful, gentle care to preserve their function and prevent complications. Advanced endodontic procedures can often save your child’s tooth, preventing the need for extraction and maintaining proper dental development.

At ChildSmiles OC, we provide comprehensive endodontic care for children through our skilled endodontist, Dr. Talayeh Azarpajouh. With her advanced training from New York University College of Dentistry and commitment to precision and patient comfort, Dr. Azar brings gentle, effective endodontic care directly to our pediatric practice. This means your child can receive the treatment they need in our familiar, kid-friendly environment without the stress of visiting multiple offices.

Understanding Pediatric Endodontics

Endodontic treatment focuses on the innermost part of the tooth, called the pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this area becomes infected due to deep decay, trauma, or injury, immediate treatment is necessary to save the tooth and prevent the infection from spreading. Children’s teeth present unique challenges for endodontic treatment. Primary teeth have thinner enamel and dentin, larger pulp chambers, and different root structures compared to adult teeth. Additionally, permanent teeth in children often have incomplete root development, requiring specialized techniques to encourage continued growth while treating the infection.

Common Reasons for Pediatric Endodontic Treatment

Several situations may require endodontic intervention in children. Deep cavities that reach the tooth’s pulp are among the most common reasons, especially when decay has been left untreated. Dental trauma from falls, sports injuries, or accidents can also damage the pulp, necessitating immediate care to save the tooth.

Sometimes, children develop abscesses or infections that cause significant pain and swelling. In these cases, endodontic treatment removes the infected tissue and prevents the spread of bacteria to other parts of the body. Even seemingly minor chips or cracks can expose the pulp to bacteria, leading to infection if not promptly addressed.

Types of Pediatric Endodontic Treatments

Dr. Azar offers several specialized treatment approaches tailored to each child’s unique dental needs and the severity of their condition.

Vital Pulp Therapy

For children with healthy pulp tissue that has been minimally affected, vital pulp therapy may be the best option. This treatment preserves as much healthy pulp as possible while removing only the damaged portions. The procedure includes pulp capping, where protective materials are placed over exposed but healthy pulp, and pulpotomy, where the crown portion of the pulp is removed while leaving the root portion intact.

These treatments are particularly effective for primary teeth, as they maintain the tooth’s vitality and function until it naturally falls out. Dr. Azar carefully evaluates each case to determine if vital pulp therapy is appropriate, considering factors such as the extent of infection and the child’s overall oral health.

Root Canal Treatment

When infection has spread throughout the pulp or when vital pulp therapy is not suitable, root canal treatment may be necessary. During this procedure, Dr. Azar removes all infected pulp tissue, carefully cleans and disinfects the root canals, and fills them with biocompatible materials.

Root canal treatment can be performed on both primary and permanent teeth. For primary teeth, the goal is to maintain the tooth until it naturally exfoliates, preserving proper spacing for permanent teeth. For permanent teeth, especially those with incomplete root development, special techniques encourage continued root growth while eliminating infection.

Advanced Techniques for Young Patients

Dr. Azar uses state-of-the-art technology and gentle techniques designed specifically for pediatric patients. Modern endodontic procedures are far more comfortable than many parents remember from their own childhood experiences. Local anesthesia ensures your child feels no pain during treatment, and sedation options are available for anxious patients.

Apexification and Regenerative Procedures

For permanent teeth with incomplete root development, Dr. Azar may recommend apexification or regenerative endodontic procedures. Apexification helps close the root tip, while regenerative procedures encourage the development of new tissue to complete root formation. These advanced treatments give young permanent teeth the best chance for long-term success.

Why Save Primary Teeth

Many parents wonder why endodontic treatment is necessary for baby teeth that will eventually fall out. Primary teeth serve crucial functions beyond chewing, including maintaining proper spacing for permanent teeth, supporting normal speech development, and preserving jawbone structure.

When a primary tooth is lost prematurely, surrounding teeth may shift into the empty space, creating crowding problems when permanent teeth try to erupt. This can lead to orthodontic issues and the need for more extensive treatment later. By saving the primary tooth through endodontic treatment, we maintain proper dental development and prevent future complications.

Post-Treatment Care and Follow-Up

After endodontic treatment, Dr. Azar will provide detailed instructions for caring for your child’s tooth at home. Most children experience little to no discomfort following treatment, and any mild sensitivity typically resolves within a few days. Regular follow-up appointments allow us to monitor healing and ensure the treatment’s success.

A crown or filling is often placed over the treated tooth to restore its strength and function. Dr. Azar works closely with Dr. Dowlaty to ensure seamless care throughout your child’s treatment process, from initial diagnosis through final restoration.

Experience Gentle, Expert Endodontic Care

At ChildSmiles OC, Dr. Talayeh Azarpajouh’s commitment to precision and patient comfort makes even complex endodontic procedures manageable for young patients. Her expertise in advanced root canal treatments, combined with our kid-friendly environment featuring iPads and televisions in every treatment room, helps ensure your child’s comfort throughout their visit. With her passion for precision and compassionate approach, Dr. Azar has become an integral part of our team, providing families across Fullerton with access to top-quality endodontic care.

Don’t wait if your child is experiencing tooth pain or has suffered dental trauma. Early intervention often means the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Contact ChildSmiles OC at (714) 253-3172 or schedule your consultation online to discuss your child’s endodontic needs with our experienced team.

Care That Won’t Break The Bank

The cost of treatment shouldn’t keep your child from getting the filling they need. We keep care affordable so your little one can have a happy, healthy smile.

In-Network With Most Insurers

Works With Healthcare Lenders

Membership Plans Available

The Benefits of Dental Fillings For Kids

Eliminate Pain & Discomfort

Small cavities can cause tooth sensitivity and tenderness to heat, cold, and the pressure of chewing. And bigger cavities could even cause a serious toothache. With a filling, you can eliminate your child’s pain and discomfort.

Prevent Tooth Loss

If it’s left untreated, a cavity will only get worse. Eventually, this may lead to a tooth infection. Without proper treatment, the infection may cause the tooth to fall out, or require extraction from a dentist. With a filling, your child won’t be at risk of losing a baby or adult tooth.

Affordable Treatment

Pediatric dental fillings are simple and affordable, and are covered by dental insurance. This makes them a budget-friendly option. This is especially true compared to more invasive treatments like root canals, which may be needed if your child doesn’t get a filling to treat their cavity.

What makes us different

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Composite fillings are matched to the color of your child’s tooth so it can blend in with the rest of their smile. Very little enamel is removed when adding a composite filling, which allows your child’s tooth to stay healthy and strong.

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist

Rest assured that your child is receiving top-notch, specialized care with our Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. To be recognized by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, doctors must undergo extensive training in the pediatric field in addition to their standard dental degrees.

How Much Do Composite Fillings Cost?

Composite (tooth-colored) fillings at ChildSmiles OC typically cost $150 to $300 per tooth, depending on the size and depth of the cavity. These natural-looking restorations are ideal for maintaining both function and appearance.

Key Cost Factors:

Size and severity of the cavity
Number of tooth surfaces treated
Tooth location

We provide high-quality, family-friendly dental care with all major dental insurance plans accepted and membership plans available to help make treatment even more manageable. Schedule your child’s appointment today.

The Dental Filling Treatment Process

Initial Consultation

First, your child’s pediatric dentist will examine their mouth for signs of cavities. This may take place at a routine six-month visit, or whenever you bring your child into our office and suspect they have a cavity. If your child is complaining of pain, discomfort, or tenderness in one of their teeth, consider bringing them in for a checkup.

Tooth Preparation

After your child’s pediatric dentist confirms their cavity, you’ll schedule a follow-up appointment. At this appointment, your child’s dentist will clean and numb their mouth. Then, they will use a dental drill to gently remove any damaged or decayed enamel from their tooth.

Filling Placement

Once your child’s tooth has been prepared, their dentist will fill their tooth using a special type of tooth-colored composite resin. This resin is soft when it’s applied to the tooth. Then, your child’s dentist will sculpt, harden, and shape the resin to fill the tooth. As the final step, your child’s dentist will check the fit of the filling and make any necessary adjustments. Then, you and your little one will be sent home.

FaQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.

What are signs that my child may have a cavity?

Your child may report feelings of sensitivity or discomfort when chewing, eating hot or cold foods, or eating very sugary foods. This is a common sign of a cavity. More advanced decay may result in intermittent toothaches and pain. You may also be able to recognize visual indicators of tooth decay. If you look inside your child’s mouth and see a dark brown or black stain on their tooth, or you think that you can see visible pits or holes in your child’s tooth, it may be a cavity or tooth decay. If you suspect that your child has a cavity, contact your child’s dentist right away for an oral exam.

My child hasn’t complained about pain or sensitivity. Why do they need a filling?

Are dental fillings painful?

No. Dental fillings do not hurt at all. In fact, after having a filling placed, your child won’t have to worry about tooth pain or sensitivity caused by a cavity, so they can smile brightly and eat their favorite foods without any more discomfort. The process of getting a filling is minimally-invasive, and your child’s mouth will be numbed to ensure they don’t feel any pain. In addition, we offer sedation to make sure that your child can remain completely comfortable.

How do fillings keep my child’s smile healthy?

Fillings are used to replace decayed enamel, which will continue to degrade if it’s left untreated. Your dentist prepares the tooth by removing any remaining unhealthy enamel, and then it’s replaced with the filling material. This stops the progression of the cavity by eliminating all damaged tooth material, as well as the bacteria that contributes to decay. In turn, this keeps your child’s smile bright and healthy.

Are dental fillings for children covered by insurance?

Yes. Dental fillings for kids are usually covered in some way by most insurance policies, though you may be subject to a deductible or yearly maximum coverage for your child, depending on your insurance plan. As always, we recommend contacting your insurer directly if you have any questions about your child’s coverage and want to make sure that their fillings will be covered.