A pediatric dental filling repairs a cavity in a child’s tooth: the decay is removed and the tooth is rebuilt with a filling material. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides fillings for children in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance and Manhattan Beach.
A cavity in a baby tooth is common and simpler to treat when it is found early. According to the CDC’s 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report, nearly 1 in 5 children aged 6 to 8 had untreated decay in their baby teeth. Call (310) 542-6988 if your child has a cavity or you think they might.
Signs Your Child May Need a Filling
Many cavities cause no symptoms at first, so a child can have one without complaining. Most are found at a routine dental cleaning and exam for children, often with X-rays. Between visits, watch for:
- A white, brown or black spot on a tooth, or a visible hole or pit
- Pain or sensitivity with sweet, hot or cold food and drinks
- Food that keeps getting stuck in the same place
- Chewing on one side, or a toothache that wakes your child at night
These signs do not always mean a cavity, and only a dentist can tell. Swelling in the face or gums needs a call to the office the same day. A chipped or cracked tooth is sometimes repaired with a filling too, after the dentist has looked at it.
Do Baby Teeth Really Need Fillings?
Baby teeth with cavities do need attention. The American Dental Association notes that baby teeth are needed for chewing and clear speech, and calls them “nature’s braces” because they help set the spacing for adult teeth, which start to come in around age 6. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) counts stopping decay before it spreads into the nerve among the aims of a filling.
That does not mean every spot needs a drill. The AAPD says not every cavity requires a filling, that a filling alone does not stop the disease that caused the cavity, and that fillings have a limited lifespan. For a very early spot, the dentist may suggest watching it, with fluoride and changes to brushing and diet, and fill it only if it grows.
Filling Materials for Children
The dentist chooses the material for each tooth, so ask which one is recommended for your child and why. AAPD guidance describes three types for baby teeth:
- Composite resin is the tooth-colored material. It can be used in baby molars, but it takes longer to place than metal and needs a dry tooth, so it is not always the best choice for a very large cavity or a child who finds it hard to keep still.
- Glass ionomer is a tooth-colored cement that releases fluoride. It can be used for some fillings in baby teeth and for controlling decay in children at high risk of cavities.
- Amalgam is the silver-colored metal filling, and the AAPD rates the evidence that it works as strong. It is about half mercury by weight. In 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that people in higher-risk groups, including children, especially those under 6, avoid new amalgam fillings where possible and appropriate, and it notes that studies in children under 6 are very limited.
If decay has destroyed too much of a baby molar for a filling to hold, the better repair is often a crown. Children’s stainless steel crowns cover and protect the whole tooth until it falls out on its own.
What Happens During a Filling Visit
The steps vary with the tooth and the child, but a filling usually goes like this:
- The dentist checks how deep the decay goes, sometimes with an X-ray.
- The area is numbed with local anesthetic if the cavity calls for it. A very shallow cavity may need little or none.
- The decayed part of the tooth is removed and the tooth is cleaned.
- The filling material is placed and shaped to match the tooth. Composite is hardened with a special light.
- The bite is checked and the filling is smoothed and polished.
Your child may feel pressure, vibration or noise even when the tooth is numb. How long the visit takes depends on the child and the number of teeth, so ask us what to expect.
After the Filling
Follow the instructions you are given at the visit. Until the numbness wears off, a child can bite a cheek, lip or tongue without feeling it, so many dentists suggest waiting to eat until it fades. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold for a few days is common. Call the office if the bite feels uneven, the tooth stays sore or you see swelling.
A filling repairs one tooth but does not lower the odds of the next cavity. That depends on brushing with fluoride toothpaste, fewer sugary snacks and drinks between meals, and regular checkups, and in toddlers on the bottle and sippy-cup habits behind baby bottle tooth decay. Sealants on the chewing surfaces of back teeth and a professional fluoride treatment for kids also help teeth resist decay.
Cost and Insurance
We do not publish a set price for a child’s filling, because the cost depends on how many teeth and tooth surfaces need treatment, the material used and whether the visit includes X-rays or an exam. Ask us for an estimate before treatment so you know your share.
We accept PPO plans. Coverage for children’s fillings varies by plan, so ask us how your plan applies to your child’s treatment. For costs your plan does not cover, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, and an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
About the Practice
Redondo Beach Dental Group sees children and adults at the same office, so a parent and child can both be patients here. Fillings are part of the dental care for children we provide, along with checkups, fluoride and crowns. Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads the practice. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a child get a filling?
A child can get a filling at any age once a baby tooth has a cavity that needs one, because there is no set minimum age. For a very young child with an early spot, the dentist may first try to slow the decay with fluoride and diet changes, since the AAPD notes that not every cavity needs a filling.
Can a 4 year old get fillings without sedation?
Many 4-year-olds can have a filling with local anesthetic alone, depending on the size of the cavity and how comfortable the child is in the chair. Sedation or general anesthesia is sometimes considered for young children who need a lot of treatment or cannot sit still safely, and that is a separate decision. Ask us before booking whether your child’s treatment can be done at our office.
How can I treat a cavity in my 4-year-old child?
A cavity in a 4-year-old’s tooth needs a dentist, because home care cannot repair a hole in a tooth. Depending on its size, the dentist may watch a very early spot, place a filling or recommend a crown for a large cavity. Until the visit, brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and cut back on sugary snacks and drinks.
Do baby teeth need fillings if they fall out anyway?
Baby teeth with cavities usually need treatment, because an untreated cavity can spread to the nerve and cause pain or infection. The American Dental Association also notes that baby teeth help with chewing and speech and set the spacing for adult teeth.
Are silver fillings safe for kids?
Silver (amalgam) fillings are about half mercury, and in 2020 the FDA recommended that children, especially those under 6, avoid new amalgam fillings where possible and appropriate. The FDA also says studies in children under 6 are very limited, and the AAPD still rates amalgam as an effective material. Ask the dentist to go over the risks and benefits of each option.
Does a filling hurt for a child?
A child should not feel sharp pain during a filling, because the tooth is numbed when the cavity calls for it. Your child may still feel pressure, vibration or noise, and the numbing injection can be uncomfortable for a moment. Tell the dentist if your child feels pain.
How much does a filling cost for a child?
The cost of a child’s filling depends on the number of teeth, the surfaces involved, the material and whether X-rays or an exam are part of the visit. Ask us for an estimate and how your plan applies to your child’s treatment.
Book a Children’s Filling in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online if your child has a cavity or you would like a second look at a tooth.