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. Modern Smiles takes a conservative approach to dentistry and we have a variety of preventive treatments to help avoid future cavities and restorations.

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 you have any anxiety over the procedure, we have some sedation options available to make the procedure more comfortable.

After the decay is removed by Dr. Heidi, the tooth is either restored with an amalgam (silver) or a composite (tooth-colored) filling. Once the filling material is in place, the filling is checked and adjusted to make sure it doesn’t interfere with your bite. Usually, Dr. Heidi will recommend amalgam on baby teeth because it is easier to place and is more economical, but will use the patient's preferred material to restore the tooth to function.

After treatment, it’s important to maintain a regular home care routine of brushing and flossing twice daily, as well as keeping up with periodic cleanings and exams so your teeth stay healthy.