Our family had to move in the middle of the school year because of my job transfer. My husband and I were trying to avoid it, but delaying it may have cost me my job. Our 4 yr old son was in the middle of dental treatment too. We chose a family dentist that we thought we liked and had our records transferred here. Our previous pediatric dentist said that our 4 yr old has three cavities that need to be filled. We questioned filling the cavities, but the explanation was reasonable. Now the new dentist says that he won’t bother filling the cavities, I don’t understand. – Emilee
Emilee – Many dentists—pediatric dentists and general dentists—will decide to fill cavities on primary teeth. If the decay in a tooth progresses, the tooth may need to be extracted. And the bacteria from it can affect other teeth.
If primary front teeth need to be filled, those teeth would normally remain another two or three years. If molar teeth are the issue, they might remain another five or six year. The goal in filling the cavities is to stop the progression of decay and preserve the teeth because they can help guide permanent teeth to the correct position.
You may choose to get a second opinion on your son’s teeth, or you can ask your new family dentist to fill the cavities anyway, even if he doesn’t think it’s necessary.
This post is sponsored by top Bedminster NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.