Paediatric Dentistry

Small cavities in children’s baby teeth can be restored with a white coloured material which has a similar natural appearance to the tooth. This type of material can be used to restore teeth at the front and the back of the mouth.

When decay develops in a baby tooth it can cause inflammation inside the tooth where the nerve and blood supply exist. In certain cases, the inflamed tissue must be removed before the tooth can be restored with an appropriate filling. This procedure is known as a pulpotomy and is carried out at the same time as the filling.

In other cases the nerve inside thedecayed tooth is dead and infected and a pulpectomy (root canal treatment) is required to remove the infected tissue and sterile the root canal before the tooth can be restored.

Preformed metal crowns are used to restore primary molar teeth which have large cavities or have undergone pulp therapy.

Aesthetic crowns are also available to restore primary teeth. The crowns have tooth coloured material bonded over the stainless steel crown to give a more aesthetic appearance while maintaining its durability.

A fissure sealant is a plastic material that coats the pit and groove areas of molar teeth. These areas are difficult to keep clean with tooth brushing alone. The sealant acts as a durable barrier between the tooth and the oral environment preventing the build-up of plaque that can lead to a cavity.

The pit and fissure areas are the most common site where children develop tooth decay in their first permanent molar teeth. These teeth should have sealants placed once the tooth is fully erupted.

First permanent molars usually erupt around the age of 6. They come in behind the last baby molar teeth. They are not replacing a baby tooth. Parents should keep a close watch on these teeth as they erupt and ensure they are kept clean.

Fissure sealants reduce dental decay by 90% on first permanent molar teeth. The sealant will wear over time and will need to be replaced or repaired during routine check-ups.