Pediatric Dental Fillings

Our Delaware, Ohio pediatric dental office offers a few different types of dental fillings. Many parents are most familiar with traditional amalgam fillings. These are the silver ones that sit on top of the teeth. Amalgam fillings have been around for over a century and are made up of copper, tin, zinc, silver, and mercury.

Amalgam Fillings

The advantages of amalgam fillings include:

• Very durable when covering large cavities or dental cavities on molars
• They quickly harden, making them ideal for areas that are hard to keep dry
• The placement time for amalgam fillings is quick, making them easier to handle for children who may have a hard time keeping still for too long 

Lots of parents have concerns regarding the mercury content in amalgam filling, but when it’s combined with the other metals, the mercury forms a stable, safe material. The American Dental Association, Food & Drug Association, and Center for Disease Control all agree that dental amalgam is safe for filling pediatric dental cavities.

Composite Resin Fillings

Our office also offers mercury-free, resin-based composite dental fillings. These fillings are white, blending in much better with the teeth, offering a more natural appearance. These types of fillings are made from plastic mixed with powdered glass, which makes them very durable. Benefits of composite resin fillings include:

• Blends in better with the natural color of the teeth
• Less of the tooth needs to be removed with resin fillings than with amalgam fillings
• BPA-free

While they have many advantages, composite resin fillings may cost a bit more than amalgam fillings and will take longer to place. For help with deciding which type of dental filling is right for your child, please contact Little Smiles of Delaware here in Delaware, Ohio!