Restorations

Why do baby teeth need fillings?

Parents often ask whether it’s worth filling a tooth that will fall out anyway — and it’s a great question. Baby teeth can stay in the mouth until age twelve or beyond, and untreated decay doesn’t stand still: it grows deeper, can begin to hurt, and can reach the nerve, turning a small filling into a bigger problem like nerve treatment or extraction. Healthy baby teeth also hold space for the adult teeth and matter for eating, speech and confidence. Treating decay while it is small keeps treatment simple and comfortable.

Tooth-coloured fillings

Our goal is to provide your child with the safest, longest-lasting and most attractive filling possible. We use tooth-coloured filling materials to fill cavities and repair broken teeth, available in a variety of shades so the repair blends into the tooth and is hardly noticeable. Parents sometimes ask about the old silver amalgam fillings, which contained mercury — none of our restorative options contain mercury. That applies across everything we place, from tooth-coloured fillings to crowns, including stainless steel crowns. For teeth that are heavily broken down, a filling isn’t always the strongest choice — in those cases a crown may be recommended instead, and we’ll explain why if so.

What to expect at a filling appointment

We explain everything in child-friendly language before we begin — teeth get “washed” and “filled in”, and our equipment gets friendly names. The tooth is numbed so your child stays comfortable, the decay is removed, and the tooth is rebuilt layer by layer. Most filling appointments are shorter than parents expect — our guide to what actually happens during your child’s filling walks through a visit step by step. For children who find treatment difficult, happy gas and other comfort options can make all the difference — just ask us.

Special situations: weak enamel

Some children have teeth with enamel that didn’t form properly — often called “chalky teeth” or hypomineralisation (MIH). These teeth can be more sensitive, decay faster, and need special care when being restored. If we identify chalky enamel, we’ll explain what it means for your child and plan restorations accordingly. Our parent guide to weak enamel and chalky teeth is a good place to learn more.

Keeping cavities from coming back

A filling repairs the damage, but preventing the next cavity matters just as much. We’ll talk with you about brushing, fluoride, diet and protective options such as fissure seals as part of your child’s ongoing preventive care — so that fillings become rarer, not more frequent, as your child grows. Our guides to why decay happens and how to prevent it and hidden sugars in everyday foods are great home reading.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting a filling hurt?

The tooth is numbed first, so your child should feel vibrations and water spray but not pain. Many children are surprised by how quick and easy it is — and going home with a “shiny new tooth” is often a point of pride.

Is it really worth filling a baby tooth?

Usually, yes. Decay left untreated tends to grow, cause pain and threaten the nerve — and early tooth loss can crowd the adult teeth. That said, not every tooth is best treated the same way; your child’s clinician will recommend what’s genuinely worthwhile for each tooth.

Are tooth-coloured fillings safe for children? Do they contain mercury?

The tooth-coloured materials we use are well established in children’s dentistry and are our standard choice. None of our restorative options contain mercury — that was a feature of the old silver amalgam fillings, which we don’t use. We’re always happy to discuss materials at your child’s appointment.

How long do fillings in baby teeth last?

That depends on the size of the filling, the tooth, and habits at home — many last until the tooth naturally falls out. We check all fillings at each visit, and building strong brushing and diet habits gives every filling its best chance.

Can we use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for fillings?

Eligible children can use CDBS funding towards a range of dental services. Eligibility is set by Services Australia — our team can help you check yours, and our CDBS guide explains how the scheme works.

Found a hole, or worried about a tooth?

Small problems are easiest to fix. Book an appointment and we’ll take a gentle look, explain what we find and agree on a plan together.