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Cavities In Kids' Teeth - To Fill Or Extract?


Posted on 12/15/2023 by Weo Admin
Cute little Black girl happily in dental chair at West End Dental in Portland, ORWhen children develop cavities in their teeth, parents often face difficult decisions when choosing whether to fill or extract the affected tooth. The appropriate course of action depends on several factors. This may include the severity of the cavity, the child's age, and the overall dental health of the affected tooth. Continue reading to know when having your child's teeth filled is ideal and when having their tooth extracted may be necessary:

When Having Your Kid's Teeth Filled Is Ideal


If the cavity is detected in its early stages when it has not extensively damaged the tooth structure, filling the tooth is typically the preferred treatment option. Dental fillings involve removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the space with a suitable dental material, such as composite resin. Filling the tooth helps restore its function, prevents further decay, and maintains the natural tooth structure.

Filling the tooth is often recommended for cavities in baby teeth. Baby teeth play a crucial role in proper speech development, maintaining space for permanent teeth, and aiding in proper chewing and nutrition. Saving the baby tooth through filling helps avoid premature loss, which could lead to dental alignment issues and affect the eruption pattern of permanent teeth.

If the affected tooth is otherwise healthy and the cavity can be effectively treated with a filling, preserving the natural tooth is preferable. Dental fillings are a conservative treatment approach allowing the tooth to maintain strength and functionality.

When Having Your Kid's Tooth Extracted Is Ideal


Extraction may be necessary if the cavity has significantly damaged the tooth structure and a filling cannot adequately restore its functionality. When the tooth is extensively decayed and filling, it will not provide a stable and long-lasting solution; removing the tooth becomes more appropriate.

If the decay has reached the tooth's inner pulp, it may result in an infection or abscess. In such cases, extraction is better to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth or the bone.
In certain cases, the extraction of baby teeth may be necessary to create space for the proper eruption of permanent teeth or to support orthodontic treatment. Your dentist or orthodontist will assess the alignment needs and provide recommendations accordingly. Consult our dentist to know whether to fill or extract your child's teeth.
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Dental Blog | Portland OR | West End Dental
West End Dental, 833 SW 11th Ave, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97205 ~ (503) 446-2957 ~ west-end-dental.com ~ 11/4/2024 ~ Key Phrases: dentist Downtown Portland ~