At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Portland, we understand that learning your child needs a dental filling can cause concern. Our specialized approach to pediatric fillings combines gentle techniques, child-friendly care, and advanced materials to make the experience as comfortable as possible while effectively restoring your child’s dental health.
Dental fillings for Portland children are necessary when decay has damaged the tooth structure, creating a cavity. Despite best prevention efforts, many children in Portland will develop at least one cavity during childhood. Prompt treatment with appropriate fillings prevents the decay from spreading deeper into the tooth, causing pain, infection, or more extensive damage that might require more invasive procedures.
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we primarily use composite resin fillings that match your child’s natural tooth color. These aesthetic fillings blend seamlessly with the surrounding tooth structure, making them virtually invisible when your child smiles or speaks. This is particularly important for Portland children and teens who may feel self-conscious about metal fillings.
Benefits of composite fillings include:
For certain situations, particularly in very young Portland children or for temporary restorations, we may recommend glass ionomer fillings. These release fluoride over time, providing additional protection against recurring decay—an important consideration for children at higher risk for cavities.
For some Portland children, particularly those who are very young, have special healthcare needs, or demonstrate extreme dental anxiety, we might discuss Silver Diamine Fluoride as an interim treatment option. This non-invasive liquid application can temporarily arrest decay progression until a permanent filling becomes more feasible.
Our Portland pediatric dentists begin with a thorough examination, often using digital X-rays that minimize radiation exposure while providing detailed images of your child’s teeth. This helps us identify cavities that might not be visible to the naked eye and determine the extent of decay.
Using age-appropriate language and show-tell-do techniques, our Portland team explains the procedure to your child before starting treatment, helping to reduce anxiety and build trust.
For most fillings, we use local anesthesia to ensure your child feels no pain during the procedure. Our Portland pediatric specialists employ techniques specifically developed for children, including topical numbing gel before injection and digital distractions, to make this step as comfortable as possible.
Using specialized instruments designed for pediatric patients, our Portland dentists gently and precisely remove the decayed portion of the tooth. Our conservative approach preserves as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
For composite fillings, the resin material is carefully layered into the prepared cavity, shaped to restore proper tooth anatomy, and hardened with a special curing light. The filling is then adjusted and polished to ensure proper bite alignment and a smooth surface.
Our Portland team provides comprehensive instructions for post-procedure care, including when your child can eat and drink after the numbness subsides and any temporary restrictions to protect the new filling.
Our Portland dentists have completed additional years of training specifically focused on treating children of all ages, including those with special needs. This specialized knowledge allows us to adapt techniques for each child’s developmental stage and unique requirements.
From our brightly decorated Portland office to our specially trained staff who speak in child-friendly terms, every aspect of our practice is designed to make dental treatment less intimidating for young patients.
Our Portland pediatric dental team has extensive experience in behavioral techniques that help children cooperate during treatment, reducing anxiety and creating positive associations with dental care.
For Portland children with extreme anxiety, very young children, or those requiring multiple fillings, we offer various sedation options to ensure treatment can be completed comfortably and safely.
At Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we emphasize prevention through regular cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants—all designed to protect your Portland child’s teeth from decay before it starts.
Our Portland team provides guidance on dietary choices that promote dental health, including limiting sugary snacks and beverages that contribute to tooth decay.
We work with Portland families to develop effective home care routines, demonstrating proper brushing and flossing techniques tailored to your child’s age and abilities.
Through consistent check-ups at our Portland pediatric dental office, we can identify early signs of decay and intervene with preventive measures before fillings become necessary.
Q: Are fillings necessary for baby teeth since they’ll fall out eventually?
A: Yes, treating cavities in primary (baby) teeth is essential. These teeth maintain space for permanent teeth, support proper nutrition and speech development, and prevent pain and infection. Untreated decay can also damage the developing permanent teeth below.
Q: How long do pediatric fillings last?
A: With proper care, composite fillings in children can last several years—often until the primary tooth naturally falls out. Factors affecting longevity include the size and location of the filling, your child’s oral hygiene habits, diet, and regular dental check-ups at our Portland office.
Q: Will getting a filling hurt my child?
A: Our Portland pediatric dentists use effective local anesthesia and gentle techniques to ensure the filling procedure is not painful. Most children report feeling pressure or vibration but not pain. Our team’s expertise in behavior management helps reduce anxiety throughout the process.
Q: Can my child eat normally after getting a filling?
A: After the numbness wears off, your child can generally eat normally. However, we recommend waiting to eat until the anesthesia has completely subsided to prevent accidental cheek or tongue biting. For composite fillings, children can eat right away, though we suggest avoiding extremely hard or sticky foods for the first 24 hours.
Q: How can I help my child prepare for getting a filling?
A: Use positive, age-appropriate language without introducing anxiety-producing words. Our Portland team can provide resources to help prepare your child, including books about dental visits and simple explanations of what to expect.
If your child has been diagnosed with a cavity or you’re concerned about potential decay, contact Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry at 503-292-9274 to schedule an appointment. Our Portland pediatric dentists are committed to providing gentle, effective cavity treatment in a supportive environment that helps create positive dental experiences for your child.
Don’t delay treating your child’s cavity—early intervention prevents more extensive problems and helps maintain your child’s healthy smile for years to come. Trust our Portland pediatric dental specialists to provide the compassionate care your child deserves.
One of the most commonly used sedation types is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. This helps many children relax during their procedure. Nitrous oxide is a combination of two different gases–-oxygen and nitrous oxide. We administer the gas through a small mask placed over your child’s nose. The gas will make your child relax without the full effect of anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is so commonly used that even the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes it as an effective way to treat children. It is very mild and safe. Children will wake up quickly after we remove the mask.
If you want to use nitrous oxide on your child, you need to let us know if there have been any changes to his or her health or medical condition. If your child has trouble breathing, let us know because the gas won’t be as effective. We also need to know if your child is taking any medications to make sure that there are no reactions.
Conscious sedation is also commonly used. We use it on children who are afraid of the dentist. It is also helpful for young children who won’t sit still and children with special needs. When we use conscious sedation, your child will be very sleepy. Some children even fall asleep, but they will not lose consciousness. We use a variety of medications for conscious sedation. After discussing your child with you, we will determine which medication (or a mixture of medications) will work best for your child. This will depend on your child and what procedure we are doing.
We also offer outpatient general anesthesia for our patients. This is also helpful for children who are scared. It can also be beneficial for young children and those with special needs. Sometimes conscious sedation does not work, but general anesthesia will. When your child is put under general anesthesia, your child will be asleep, just like if he or she was having major surgery. Using general anesthesia has greater risks, but often the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. There are many benefits of using general anesthesia. Your child may be able to get multiple procedures done in one day instead of having to come back several times. You won’t have to worry about restraining your child.
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DBA: Tesha Waggoner DMD, P.C
Pine Tree Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Tesha Waggoner DMD
5415 SW Westgate Dr #207
Portland, OR 97221
503.292.9274
info@pinetreepd.com
