Teeth affected by tooth decay, known as caries or cavities, need dental fillings. A dental filling is a material that dentists use to fix a hole or damage in a tooth, usually caused by a cavity.

The dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth. They then fill the space with a special filling to protect and strengthen the tooth. Fillings help stop pain, prevent more damage and keep the tooth working as it should.

Two common types of dental fillings:

• Silver fillings: These contain a mixture of metals, including mercury, to make the filling harden and last longer.
• White fillings: Also called tooth-colored or composite fillings, these contain a mixture of plastic and glass (silicon dioxide). They blend in with the natural tooth color and are often used for front teeth instead of silver fillings.

Your child’s dentist can help you decide what’s best.

Dentists can also fix teeth that have damage or decay in other ways.

These include:

• Porcelain veneers: These are a thin, tooth-colored layer of ceramic that sticks to the front of a tooth to change how it looks. This can improve the tooth's color, size or shape.
• Crown: This is a strong cap that covers a cracked or broken tooth. It helps a tooth look and work like normal when a filling isn’t enough.
• Cast gold restoration: This is a very strong repair made from gold. It lasts a long time but usually costs more and may take more than one visit to fit right.

Before

To help your child get ready for their dental filling:

• Please arrive 15 minutes early.
• We may ask you to fill out health forms.
• Let the dental team know if your child’s health has changed.
• If your child needs medicine to help them relax or sleep, we’ll guide you on what they can eat and drink. It’s key that they follow these guidelines before their visit.

During

Our dental clinics are calm spaces designed for kids. The dental team will explain the next steps in simple terms to help your child feel safe and calm. The dentist may numb the area around the tooth before removing the decay and placing the filling.

After

You'll get guidelines for caring for your child’s mouth, including when they can eat and how to brush. If your child had medicine to help them relax or sleep, they may feel tired and need extra rest. Their mouth may feel numb for a few hours, so they should avoid chewing until the feeling comes back.

We’ve designed every part of the dental visit for kids, from the space itself to our approach to care. Our experts have advanced training to treat babies, kids and teens. They handle all dental needs, including fillings.

Expert care for all: Our team knows how to care for all kids in a safe and kind way. This includes those with delays, sensory issues or health conditions.

All-in-one services: We offer complete dental care. From cleanings and checkups to surgery and braces, we do it all.

Hospital care: When needed, we can provide safe dental care with sleep medicine at our top-ranked children’s hospital.