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Dental Fillings for Kids

When decay causes a loss of tooth structure, both baby teeth and permanent teeth can be repaired with a filling, depending on the condition of the tooth. The aim is to keep the tooth working and to lower the risk of problems such as pain or infection. With baby teeth, treatment aims to keep the tooth in the mouth until it falls out naturally, as far as possible.

 

Not every cavity needs a filling, though. The right treatment is decided after an examination and, when needed, an X-ray.

pediatric dental fillings

Do Baby Teeth Get Fillings, and Why Are They Needed?

Yes, baby teeth can have fillings too. Untreated decay can gradually spread into the deeper layers of the tooth, which may lead to pain, difficulty chewing and infection in or around the tooth. Losing a baby tooth early can also leave less room for the permanent tooth coming in underneath it, and some children then need a space maintainer.


Newly erupted permanent teeth can decay as well. The first permanent molars come in at around 6 to 7 years of age, right behind the baby teeth and before any baby tooth has fallen out, so parents often mistake them for baby teeth. These teeth have to last a lifetime, and catching a small cavity in them early can reduce the need for more extensive treatment later.

 

Can a Chipped or Broken Tooth Be Filled?

 

Fillings are not only used for decay. They can also repair teeth that break after a fall or a knock. If only the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, is chipped, smoothing the sharp edges is sometimes enough. If the break goes through the enamel into the dentin beneath it, the exposed surface is covered and the tooth can be rebuilt with filling material, depending on how large the broken piece is.


It is a different situation if the break reaches the nerve, or if the tooth is loose, out of position or looks pushed into the gum. In these cases your child should be seen by a dentist without delay. A permanent tooth that has been knocked out completely is an emergency, and you should see a dentist right away.

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Does Every Cavity Need a Filling?

 

No. In the earliest stage of decay there is no hole in the tooth surface yet. At this point you may notice white, chalky spots on the enamel. Depending on the lesion and your child's risk of decay, some of these early lesions can be managed with preventive measures and regular check-ups. The two measures used most often for this do different jobs. In a professional fluoride application, the dentist applies a product with a high concentration of fluoride to the teeth. In suitable early lesions this can help the enamel surface regain minerals, and it helps lower the risk of decay.

 

A fissure sealant, on the other hand, covers the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth with a thin coating. These grooves are hard to clean with a toothbrush. The main purpose of a sealant is to prevent decay in these areas, and it can be applied to baby molars and to newly erupted permanent molars.

 

If a cavity has formed in the tooth surface, or an X-ray shows that the decay is progressing, monitoring alone is usually not enough, and a filling or another treatment suited to the tooth may be needed. A filling repairs the cavity but does not stop new decay from forming. That is why regular brushing, fluoride toothpaste and limiting how often your child has sugary foods and drinks still matter after a filling.

 

Filling, Root Canal Treatment or Crown?

 

Not every cavity is treated the same way. The dentist looks at how deep the decay is, the condition of the tooth's nerve tissue (the pulp), how much healthy tooth structure is left and, for baby teeth, how long it will be before the tooth falls out. The list below summarizes how the options differ. Which one is needed can only be decided during the examination.

 

  • Some early lesions where no cavity has formed yet: Preventive measures (fluoride, fissure sealants) and monitoring, depending on the lesion and the risk of decay

  • Decay has formed a cavity, but the nerve tissue can be preserved: Filling

  • Deep decay with a risk to the nerve tissue: Depending on the situation, a filling placed with an approach that protects the nerve tissue, a pulpotomy or root canal treatment

  • Extensive loss of tooth structure, or extra protection needed after pulp treatment: A crown, depending on the tooth; not every tooth needs one

  • The tooth cannot be saved predictably: Extraction; in some cases a space maintainer

 

The options described here are not treatment steps applied one after another. They are shared for information only.


Sometimes the full extent of the decay only becomes clear during the procedure. A treatment planned as a filling at the examination may therefore turn out to need a different treatment once work has started. If this happens, the dentist will explain it to you.

 

How Are Dental Fillings Done for Children? 


A filling is usually completed in a single visit.

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  1. Examination and, if needed, an X-ray: An X-ray helps assess how far the decay has spread and how close it is to the tooth's nerve tissue (the pulp). Some cavities, especially those between teeth, may not be noticed in a visual examination alone. You can read how the examination is done on our dental check-up for children page.

  2. Numbing: If needed, the tooth and the area around it are numbed with a local anesthetic.

  3. Removing the decay: The decayed tissue is removed from the tooth.

  4. Keeping the tooth dry: The area being treated is protected from saliva so that the filling material bonds well to the tooth.

  5. Placing the filling: The filling material is placed in the cavity and, depending on its type, hardens either under a special light or through a chemical reaction.

  6. Checking the bite: The dentist checks whether the filling sits too high when your child closes their teeth and adjusts it if necessary.

 

Does It Hurt, and Is an Injection Needed?

 

Not every filling needs an injection. It depends on the size and depth of the decay. When numbing is needed, a gel that numbs the surface is applied to the gum before the injection, so the needle is felt less.

 

Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, children usually do not feel pain, but they may feel touch, pressure or vibration. Telling your child about this beforehand keeps them from being surprised during the procedure.

 

When preparing your child, we suggest avoiding promises such as "it won't hurt at all." A short, calm explanation works better: "The dentist is going to clean the little hole in your tooth and close it up. If you feel anything, you can tell them." It also helps to avoid frightening words such as needle or drill.

 

If Your Child Is Scared or Cannot Cooperate with Treatment

 

Feeling nervous about the dentist is very common in children. Pediatric dentists therefore follow an approach often summed up as "tell, show, do": they first explain what they are going to do, show the child the instrument they will use, and then do it. Short sessions, breaks when needed and praise for the steps a child cooperates with help most children get used to treatment.

 

Sometimes these approaches are not enough, for example when many teeth need treatment, or when a very young child cannot be treated safely in the dental chair. In such cases, after an assessment, the pediatric dentist may discuss dental treatment under general anesthesia with the family. This treatment is carried out in a hospital setting together with an anesthesia team.

 

What Filling Materials Are Used for Children?

 

The filling materials used in pediatric dentistry fall into a few main groups. Which one is chosen depends on whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, the size and location of the cavity, whether the tooth can be kept dry throughout the procedure, and the child's risk of decay.

 

Composite fillings, often called white fillings, are tooth-colored, resin-based materials. They can be used for fillings on one or two surfaces of baby and permanent molars. They require the tooth to stay completely dry during the procedure and the child to be able to keep their mouth open for a while.

 

Glass ionomer-based fillings bond chemically to the tooth and release fluoride. Because they are less sensitive to moisture than composite, they may be preferred when the tooth is difficult to keep dry. This group includes conventional glass ionomer and the stronger resin-modified glass ionomer, and the teeth and cavity sizes each one is suitable for are different.

 

Compomer fillings are fluoride-releasing materials that combine some of the properties of composite and glass ionomer. They can be used for fillings on one or two surfaces of baby teeth.

 

A crown, sometimes called a cap, is not a type of filling. It is a separate treatment that covers the whole tooth. For details, see our crowns for children page.

 

Are Colored Fillings Harmful?

 

Colored fillings are versions of some of the filling materials used for children that come in colors such as blue, pink or yellow. Some are compomer-based, but not every colored filling is made of the same material. The color itself does not decide whether a material is suitable for the tooth. As with any filling, the material is chosen according to the condition of the tooth and the treatment needed. You can ask your dentist during the examination which material suits your child.

 

What to Watch For After a Filling

 

If a local anesthetic was used, the lip, cheek and tongue stay numb for a while, usually 2 to 3 hours. During this time children may bite their lips, cheeks or tongue without noticing. Remind your child about this and keep an eye on them until the numbness has completely worn off. Don't give hot food or drinks during this time, and wait for the numbness to pass before giving foods that need chewing.

 

In the first few days after a filling, the tooth may be slightly sensitive to hot and cold. This usually eases on its own within a few days.

 

A filling can sometimes sit slightly higher than the neighboring teeth. If your child says that tooth touches first or feels different when they close their teeth, let the dentist know. The height can be adjusted in a short procedure.

 

Why Does a Filled Tooth Hurt?

 

Mild pain or sensitivity after a filling is often expected. There are a few possible reasons:

 

  • Work close to the nerve: If the decay was deep, the filling sits close to the tooth's nerve tissue (the pulp). The tooth may then be sensitive to hot, cold or sweet things for a few days, sometimes a few weeks.

  • A filling that sits too high: If the filling is slightly higher than the neighboring teeth, it can hurt when your child chews or closes their teeth. This kind of pain does not go away on its own; the filling needs a quick adjustment.

  • Sore gums: The gum around the tooth can also be tender after the procedure. This usually settles within a day or two.

 

Mild sensitivity that gradually eases may occur. If it is not easing within a few days, is getting worse or lasts longer than a week or two, let your dentist know.

 

Contact your dentist without waiting if your child has:

 

  • Pain that starts on its own, throbs or wakes them at night

  • Pain that lingers long after something hot or cold

  • Swelling of the gum or face, or a fever

 

These signs can mean the tooth's nerve tissue is affected and further treatment may be needed. Young children cannot always describe pain, so chewing on one side only, refusing food or holding their cheek can also be signs of it.

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How Long Does a Baby Tooth Filling Last?

 

How long a filling in a baby tooth keeps working depends on the size and location of the decay, the material used, how much longer the tooth will stay in the mouth and the child's risk of decay. The aim is to keep the tooth working until it falls out naturally, as far as possible. Fillings in baby teeth may need repair or replacement more often than fillings in permanent teeth.

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Fractures and wear can mean a filling has to be redone. Regular brushing at home, fluoride toothpaste and cutting down on how often your child has sugary foods and drinks all help a filling stay trouble-free for longer. Regular check-ups also mean that a problem with a filling is noticed early.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

At What Age Can a Child Have a Filling?

 

There is no set age limit for fillings. Once decay has formed, treatment may be needed at any age. In very young children, the way treatment is carried out is planned according to the size of the decay and how well the child can cooperate.

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Are the Same Fillings Used in Permanent Teeth?

 

Similar groups of materials are used in permanent teeth. However, because these teeth have to last a lifetime, the choice is made with long-term durability in mind. For example, glass ionomer-based materials are generally not chosen as long-term fillings in permanent teeth.

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Medically reviewed by: Dr. Dt. Esra Yeşilöz Gökçen, Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics).

Last reviewed and updated: October 23, 2026.

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