White Fillings

White Fillings For Better Smiles

Treat Cavities And Keep Your Child’s Teeth Bright

Cavities happen. Even if you do a great job taking care of your child’s smile, they may develop a cavity or two as they grow. If your little one is complaining about a sore tooth or you notice any tooth discoloration, they may have a cavity.

At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Matt Griffith is here to help. We offer white fillings in Kailua-Kona. With metal-free white fillings, Dr. Matt can prevent cavities from getting worse, restore teeth, and keep your child smiling brightly.

How Can I Tell If My Child Needs A Filling?

Fillings are necessary if your child has a cavity (tooth decay). There are a few signs you can look for that may indicate the presence of tooth decay:

  • Tooth pain and soreness
  • Inflamed gums near the affected tooth
  • Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure
  • Brown, gray, or black tooth discoloration
  • Visible holes or pits in the tooth

However, it’s not always easy to recognize a cavity on your own. If you’re not sure whether or not your child needs a filling, it’s best to bring them in for a visit with Dr. Matt and the team at Kona Pediatric Dentistry. 

The Benefits Of White Fillings For Kids

At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, we exclusively use white fillings to treat patients of all ages. Instead of metal, white fillings use a mixture of dental resin and glass particles to restore teeth. Wondering why you should choose white fillings instead of metal amalgam? Here are a few of the benefits:

Seamless appearance

White fillings can be matched to the exact color of your child’s tooth. This means that their smile will look brand-new after treatment! In contrast, metal fillings have a silvery-gray appearance that can discolor your child’s tooth.

Preserves more enamel

White fillings typically require the removal of less enamel than metal fillings. At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Matt practices conservative care, so he always prioritizes treatments that leave more of your child’s natural tooth intact.

Metal-free restoration

While metal amalgam fillings are accepted as safe by the ADA and most other dental organizations, we understand that parents may be concerned about the presence of toxic metals like mercury in amalgam fillings. With metal-free composite fillings from Dr. Matt, you won’t have to worry!

Lower risk of tooth sensitivity

Because metal conducts heat very effectively, metal fillings can sometimes cause tooth sensitivity when eating very hot or cold foods. Composite fillings do not conduct heat effectively, so this dramatically reduces the risk of sensitivity.

How Do Fillings Work? Understanding The Process

Getting a tooth-colored composite filling is a simple and straightforward process. It usually takes about an hour for Dr. Matt to restore your child’s tooth at Kona Pediatric Dentistry. Wondering what to expect? Here’s an overview of the process.

  • Numbing and sedation – First, Dr. Matt will clean your child’s mouth and numb the treatment area with a needle. Our team uses a child-friendly, gentle approach to make the experience less scary for your little one. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation if your child needs a little bit of help to feel more comfortable!
  • Tooth preparation – Once your child’s mouth is fully numb, Dr. Matt will use a dental drill to remove any decayed or damaged enamel from their tooth. He will only remove tooth material that’s unhealthy and leave the rest of your child’s tooth structure intact.
  • Filling your child’s tooth – After trimming away damaged tooth material, Dr. Matt will select a composite filling material that matches your child’s smile perfectly. Then, he will apply it directly to the cavity, shaping it to restore the shape of your child’s tooth. Once the overall shape looks right, he will harden the filling with a UV light and trim it to refine the shape.
  • Bite check and finishing up – Once your child’s tooth has been restored, Dr. Matt will have them bite down on a piece of paper so that he can check their bite and make sure their new filling fits into their mouth perfectly. When everything looks perfect, he will polish their new tooth one last time, then send you and your little one home to enjoy their newly restored smile.

We know getting a filling can be scary for your child. Along with sedation options and our child-friendly approach, we always let parents stay with their children whenever they're getting treatment at Kona Pediatric Dentistry. You’re always welcome in the operating room!

Get Help With Cavities At Kona Pediatric Dentistry

If you think your child may have a cavity in Kailua-Kona, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Immediate treatment with a filling is the best way to restore their tooth, get them out of pain, and prevent complications like tooth infections.

So don’t wait. If you think that your little one may be suffering from tooth decay, our team is just a click or a call away. Book your first visit with Dr. Matt Griffith and the team at Kona Pediatric Dentistry to get the help you need right away.

More Information Coming Soon...

We can’t wait to meet you

Call (808) 698-0380 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.