Restore your child’s teeth after cavities with natural-looking composite fillings. Our professional team provides care and precision every step of the way. Book your consultation today!
AAPD Member
5-Star Rated
Hospital Privileges
90% less radiation than traditional X-rays for your child's safety
Safe nitrous oxide and sedation options for anxious children.
Specialized care for children with autism, ADHD, and other needs
Reserved emergency slots available every day for urgent care. We speak Spanish and Farsi.
If your child has been told they have a cavity, you probably have questions about what comes next. One of the most common treatments in children’s dentistry today is the tooth-colored filling, also called a composite filling. It repairs the tooth, stops the decay from spreading, and blends in with your child’s natural teeth so no one can tell it is there.
At Kidz Modern Dentistry in Laguna Niguel, Dr. Lida Pishbin and Dr. Solmaz Shir place tooth-colored fillings with a gentle, kid-friendly approach. Every step is explained to you and your child before it happens, and comfort options are available for children who feel nervous.
Real families sharing their experiences with our pediatric dental care.
Tooth-colored fillings are made from composite resin, a mix of fine glass particles and resin that can be closely matched to the color of your child’s teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes composite resin as an established material for restoring both baby and permanent teeth in children.
Because the material bonds directly to the tooth, less healthy tooth structure usually needs to be removed than with older silver fillings. The result is a strong, natural-looking repair, which also matters for children who might feel self-conscious about visible metal when they smile or talk.
For families coming from communities like Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, or Laguna Hills, all appointments take place at the Laguna Niguel office on La Paz Road.
Knowing what to expect helps both you and your child feel more at ease. Before any treatment, the dentist checks how large the cavity is and whether it has reached the nerve, often with digital x-rays.
The appointment usually goes like this:
A straightforward filling often takes less than an hour, and most children go back to normal activities the same day once the numbness wears off.
For children who feel anxious, the team uses tell-show-do and gentle reassurance, and sedation options such as laughing gas can help them relax.
It is one of the most common questions parents ask. If a baby tooth will fall out anyway, why not wait? The answer is that baby teeth do important work for years, and a cavity in one does not stay small.
Baby teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth, so decay can move through them quickly once it starts. An untreated cavity can become painful and infected, and the infection can affect the permanent tooth developing underneath.
Baby teeth matter because they:
Let children chew a wide range of foods for good nutrition
Help with clear speech as children learn to talk
Hold space for the permanent teeth growing underneath
Keep infection from spreading to nearby teeth and tissue
Help children feel confident when they smile
When a baby tooth is lost too early, nearby teeth can drift into the gap, and space maintainers may be needed to keep room for the permanent tooth.
Slots for emergency dental visits available today. Don't let your child's dental pain wait. Call or text us now!
For decades, silver amalgam was the standard for filling back teeth because it is durable and inexpensive. Composite has since become the preferred choice for many families and dentists. It matches the tooth instead of standing out, and because it bonds to the tooth, it usually requires removing less healthy structure.
Amalgam contains mercury combined with other metals, and in 2020 the FDA recommended that certain higher-risk groups, including young children, avoid amalgam fillings when appropriate. Composite has also become much more wear-resistant over the years, and in baby teeth it is designed to last until the tooth falls out naturally.
When a cavity is very large or covers several surfaces of a back tooth, a filling may not be strong enough, and the dentist may recommend a pediatric crown to protect what remains of the tooth.
Until the numbness wears off, remind your child not to bite or chew on their cheek, lip, or tongue, since young children often do not notice they are doing it. Soft foods are a good choice for the first couple of hours. You can return to normal brushing and flossing the same evening.
Some mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal for a day or two. If it lasts more than a week or gets worse, call the office. How long a filling lasts depends on its size and location, brushing and flossing at home, diet, and whether your child grinds their teeth.
Children who grind at night can wear down fillings faster, and a custom night guard can help protect them.
A filling repairs one tooth, but the habits that caused the cavity can affect the others. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, using a smear the size of a grain of rice under age 3 and a pea-sized amount after that, along with daily flossing once teeth touch, makes the biggest difference. Water is the best drink between meals, and limiting juice, sports drinks, and sticky snacks protects every tooth.
For very small cavities in young children who are not ready for a filling, silver diamine fluoride can sometimes stop decay without drilling.
Checkups every six months catch new cavities while they are still small, and the practice’s preventive dentistry services include fluoride and sealants to protect teeth before decay starts.
Pediatric Dentist & Practice Owner
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Diplomate by American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentist & Practice Owner
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Diplomate by American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry
Kidz Modern Dentistry works with most major dental insurance plans, and the team verifies your benefits before the appointment so you know what to expect. Some plans cover tooth-colored fillings on all teeth, while others cover only part of the cost on back teeth. For families without dental insurance, the KMD Total Care membership plans are available as an alternative. The plan details are listed further down this page. To ask about coverage or to schedule your child’s visit, contact our Laguna Niguel office by phone or through the online booking form.
Experience total freedom in your child’s dental care. Our membership removes the barriers found in traditional insurance — no caps, no delays, and no denials. Review the benefits and exclusions to see how effortless care can be.
Common questions parents ask, answered by our pediatric dental experts.
Composite resin fillings can be placed in children of virtually any age, including toddlers with significant early childhood caries, though the approach depends on the extent of decay, the child's cooperation, and whether sedation may be appropriate. The AAPD supports the use of composite resins as a restorative material for primary and permanent teeth across pediatric age groups. [1] Your child's dentist will assess the individual situation to determine the right timing and approach.
The treated area is numbed with local anesthesia before any work begins. Most children do not feel pain during the procedure itself, though they may feel pressure or vibration. If your child tends to be very anxious, discussing sedation options with the dental team before the appointment allows the team to plan appropriately and keep your child as comfortable as possible throughout.
Yes. The curing light used to harden composite resin is a standard piece of dental equipment that emits a visible blue light. It does not produce harmful radiation. Dental staff typically provide protective eyewear or shield the child's eyes during curing to prevent any discomfort from the brightness of the light.
Yes. Composite resin is commonly used on primary molars. For cavities that are large or that extend into multiple surfaces of a molar, your child's dentist will discuss whether a composite filling is the most appropriate restoration or whether a different option, such as a stainless steel or tooth-colored crown, might offer better protection for the remaining tooth structure.
It is not unusual for young children to have several cavities at one time, particularly if they are being seen for the first time in a while or have dietary habits that put them at higher risk. When multiple teeth need treatment, the dentist will develop a treatment plan that prioritizes the most urgent needs. Appointments may be staged to make each visit manageable for the child, or in cases where a child has significant anxiety or very extensive decay, treatment under sedation may allow multiple teeth to be addressed in fewer visits.
Coverage varies by plan. Many dental insurance policies cover composite fillings on front teeth but may cover only amalgam (or only the cost of amalgam) for back teeth. Some plans have moved toward covering composite on all teeth, especially for children. It is worth calling your insurance provider directly to understand your specific benefits, and the dental office's front desk team can often assist with checking coverage before your appointment.
Longer reads from our pediatric dental team, for parents who want the detail behind the visit.
Why Are Parents Rethinking Silver Fillings? What Are Colored Anticavity Fillings for Kids? How Are Tooth-Colored Fillings Different From Silver...
Read More: No More Silver Fillings: Why Colored Anticavity Fillings Are the Best Choice for Kids
What are tooth colored composite fillings for kids? Are composite fillings safe for children today? What should parents know about...
Read More: Are Tooth-Colored (Composite) Fillings Safe for Kids? What Every Parent Should Know
How long does a child’s cavity filling usually take at Kidz Modern Dentistry in Laguna Niguel? What factors can make...
Read More: How Long Does a Child’s Cavity Filling Take in Kidz Modern DentistrySlots for emergency dental visits available today. Don't let your child's dental pain wait. Call or text us now!
We serve families from Southern Orange County, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and surrounding communities with comprehensive pediatric dental care.
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Thank you for booking — we’ll confirm your reservation soon!
