Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from tooth decay. It is like a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth that forms a hard shield keeping the food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the developing teeth and causing decay. It does not involve any preparation of the teeth and hence is the most non invasive way to protect your child’s teeth.

Paediatric dental fillings are white tooth coloured materials that constantly release fluoride and are used to repair minor decay so that the function of that missing structure of the tooth is restored back and further deterioration will be stopped and allowing the child to eat and grow normally.

Crown replaces the anatomical area of teeth, usually covered by enamel. If part of the tooth gets chipped or broken, a dentist needs to place an artificial crown prosthesis to bring it back to function.

The main objective of fillings and crowns is to avoid food lodgement and prevent the decay from reaching the nerve which could get very painful. Whereas sealants are used to prevent the spread of decay in non cavitated teeth (milk and permanent teeth) that tend to have deep fissures and being smaller in size catch decay easily.

Indications

Sealants are advised – For all non cavitated milk teeth and erupting permanent teeth.

Fillings are advised when your child experiences the following

• A zing of sensitivity on consumption of extreme temperature food, while rinsing mouth or while having that ice cream.
• Visible black spots on the teeth
• Food getting stuck in/between the teeth

Crowns are advised

• when the cavity spreads to involve the side of the teeth
• If there is any trauma/fracture of the tooth
• post root canal treatment.

Procedure and Time taken

• Application of sealants is a painless, superficial procedure. The teeth are dried, a liquid is painted on the chewing surface of the teeth which is then cured with a special light.
• In case of filling, the dead and decayed portion of the tooth is removed using a hand instrument or rotary instrument following which the tooth is restored with white coloured material.
• Paediatric crowns are different from adult crowns as they can be placed in a single visit. These are pre- contoured stainless steel crowns. Whereas crowns in the front teeth or post root canal procedure may require 2 sittings.

Treatment Charges

Sealants/dental fillings will cost Rs 500 per tooth.
A Dental crown will cost Rs 2500

FAQs

When do we do filling?
When the cavity is small then filling is the choice of treatment. If the cavity is big then crown would be the choice of treatment.

When is Dental Crown advised?
When your child’s tooth is grossly decayed which means more than 1/2 of the tooth structure is destroyed, crown becomes the treatment of choice.

Is the procedure painful?
It’s absolutely a painless procedure.

How many appointments are required?
This procedure can be completed in a single sitting.

Is there any diet restriction after the procedure?
Your child will be advised to not eat or drink for half an hour after the completion of the procedure. And for 24 hours to be on a soft diet, after which your child can eat whatever he/she wants.