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Treatment of tooth decay in children

Child placing teeth into a dental model
MDDr. Denisa Studená

Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases affecting children’s teeth. Choosing the right treatment method is particularly important in children – it must be effective, gentle, and long-lasting, because children’s teeth are still developing and some will remain until they are replaced by permanent teeth.
Treatment can be divided into several categories according to the extent of tooth damage, the child’s level of cooperation, and aesthetic or functional requirements:

  • local treatment of cavities with fillings,
  • reconstruction of larger damage defects using strip crowns,
  • minimally invasive approach treatment using the Hall method,
  • preventive “preservation” of teeth – fissure sealing.

1. Modern fillings – fast and gentle treatment of tooth decay

Composite and glass ionomer fillings are common materials used in the treatment of minor and moderate dental cavities.

Composite fillings (“white fillings”)

  • Aesthetic – the color adapts to the natural tooth.
  • Very strong – suitable even for areas with increased chewing pressure.
  • They allow for precise reconstruction of the tooth shape, which is important for proper function in pediatric patients.

Glass ionomer fillings

  • They release fluoride, which protects the surrounding tissue from further decay.
  • Application is quick and gentle, ideal for children with minor defects or for patients who are less cooperative.

A properly performed filling can last for many years and, in the case of milk teeth, often until they are naturally replaced. The choice of material always depends on the size of the cavity, the location of the tooth, and the patient’s individual situation.

2. Strip crowns – aesthetic reconstruction of front teeth

If a tooth is significantly weakened by decay, injury, or root canal treatment, a simple filling may not be sufficient. In such cases, strip crowns provide an effective solution. These are plastic “caps” that are filled with composite material and placed on the prepared tooth. After hardening, the plastic mold is removed, leaving a smooth, strong, natural-looking crown.

Advantages of strip crowns:

  • natural appearance – particularly important for front teeth,
  • protection of weakened teeth against cracking or breaking,
  • quick application that is well tolerated by children without excessive grinding.

A tooth treated in this way remains functional, allowing the child to eat and speak without any problems, and the crown protects it until it is replaced by a permanent tooth.

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3. Hall’s method – treatment without drilling

The Hall method is currently the most gentle approach to treating deciduous teeth with uncomplicated caries. The caries is not removed, and the tooth is not drilled. Instead, a precisely fitting stainless steel crown is placed over the entire tooth, hermetically sealing the caries.

How does it work?

Bacteria trapped under the crown lose access to nutrients, so the decay stops. The procedure is quick, does not require injections, and children usually tolerate it without stress.

When is this method appropriate?

  • for small children or patients who are uncooperative,
  • in cases of multiple tooth damage,
  • for cavities in milk teeth that do not affect the nerve.

The method is not suitable for permanent teeth or deep cavities affecting the pulp.

4. Sealing fissures – prevention of tooth decay

Some children’s teeth have deep, narrow grooves (fissures) on their chewing surfaces – food debris can remain trapped in them and is difficult to remove with regular cleaning. That is why cavities often appear there first.

Fissure sealing is a preventive procedure that closes and smooths these grooves and protects against cavities.

How does sealing work?

  1. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned (decontamination, airflow) and dried.
  2. A protective material – glass ionomer or composite – is applied to the grooves.
  3. The material is cured with UV light and the surface is gently polished.

The result is a smooth surface that is less prone to plaque buildup and easy to clean.

When is fissure sealing performed?

  • Most often after the permanent first molars (“sixes”) erupt, typically between 6 and 8 year of age,
  • or in adults with an increased risk of tooth decay.

The treatment of tooth decay in children always requires an individual approach. Early diagnosis, regular check-ups, and prevention are key to keeping children’s teeth healthy and allowing them to develop properly.

Price list

Prevention

Treatment of a baby tooth

We perform treatments on primary teeth using magnification and a rubber dam to ensure maximum precision and a dry working field. The result is natural-looking, durable, and long-lasting, suitable for both visible and less visible areas of the dentition.

from 2 500 CZK / from 102 €

Silver application (SDF)

Silver application (SDF) is a quick and non-invasive method that stops both early and advanced tooth decay. The solution is applied directly to the affected area, significantly slowing down or completely stopping the decay. It is painless and particularly suitable for children or in cases where a traditional filling cannot be done immediately. The only disadvantage is that the treated area darkens, but this does not affect its function.

from 1,000 CZK / from 41 €

Sealing fissures

Sealing fissures is a preventive procedure in which deep grooves on molars are sealed with a thin layer of protective resin. This prevents plaque from accumulating in areas that are difficult to clean. This significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay. The procedure is quick, gentle, and painless.

from 1,500 CZK / from 62 €

Extended fissure sealing

Preventive fillings/extended sealing are used on teeth where the enamel in the fissure is already slightly damaged, but it is not yet a classic cavity. The groove is gently micro-invasively adjusted and filled with a small amount of filling material. This stabilizes the tooth and prevents further decay. It is a quick and gentle way to catch the problem at its very beginning.

from 2,500 CZK / from 102 €

Halls crown

The Hall crown is a stainless steel crown for children that can be placed on a decay-weakened temporary tooth without drilling or injections. The crown seals the tooth and stops further decay, as bacteria lose access to their food source. It is a quick, gentle, and well-tolerated treatment. It helps preserve the milk tooth until it is naturally replaced.

from 3,000 CZK / from 123 €