Studies have shown that almost 33% of children aged 2 to 5 have had a cavity. Even though baby teeth are only around for a few short years, it’s still important to keep them healthy because they hold the space for your child’s adult teeth. They also help your child chew and develop proper speech patterns .

The procedure is the same for a child as it is for an adult. Depending on the size of the decayed area, a local anesthetic may be given, and if your child has any anxiety over the procedure, we have some sedation options available to make the procedure more comfortable.

After the decay is removed by Dr. Rick Alvarez , a special gel is used to clean and etch the surface. Once the filling material is in place, it is light cured, polished, and adjusted to make sure it doesn’t interfere with your child’s bite. Tooth-colored filling material is much like a natural tooth in texture and is matched to your child’s tooth color.

After treatment, it’s important to maintain a regular home care routine of brushing and flossing twice daily, so your child’s restorations stay healthy and prevent any more decay.

Simply Smiles Family Dental in Republic, MO, takes a conservative and approach to pediatric dentistry. We have a variety of preventive treatments to help avoid future cavities and restorations for your child.