White Cavity Fillings For Kids In Westminster, CO

Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry places tooth-colored composite fillings only. We don't use silver amalgam fillings.

Our office is in the Erie Commons shopping area, at the corner of Briggs St. and Erie Pkwy. Dr. Alison Grover owns the practice. She completed a 2-year pediatric dental residency at UCLA and is board-certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Why Mini Miners Uses Only White Fillings

Two reasons survive a check against the research. A white filling bonds to the tooth, so less healthy tooth gets drilled away. And it has no mercury in it.

The third reason is the one your child will care about. Nobody can see it.

Natural, tooth-colored appearance

We shade-match the composite to your child's tooth. Silver shows from the day it goes in, and it darkens over time.

Less drilling

Amalgam stays in by shape. To lock it in place, the dentist cuts undercuts into healthy tooth around the cavity.

Composite stays in by bonding to the enamel, so the preparation can stop once the decay is out. The FDA's patient guidance says resin fillings typically need less healthy tooth removed than amalgam.

Baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth. Every bit of wall you keep counts for more.

Mercury-free material

Composite is tooth-colored resin with glass particles. Amalgam is a mix of metals, mercury among them.

The FDA's 2020 guidance puts children on its higher-risk list, especially kids under 6, and recommends they avoid amalgam when possible and appropriate. The European Union ended most amalgam use on January 1, 2025. In November 2025, the parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury agreed to phase out dental amalgam by 2034. Manufacture, import and export end then, with an exception when a dentist judges it necessary for a patient.

We don't place amalgam at all, so there's no case-by-case call to make for your child.

If your child already has silver fillings in good shape, the FDA advises leaving them in place. Taking one out can cost sound tooth and can briefly raise mercury vapor exposure.

What white fillings don't do better

Three more benefits get claimed for white fillings. Here's what the research says about each.

Heat and cold. Composite isn't the more stable material. In standard dental-materials tables, composite expands with heat as much as amalgam or more (composites 25 to 68, amalgam 22 to 28, tooth 8 to 15, in millionths per degree Celsius). The bond is what keeps a white filling's edge sealed.

Lasting longer. In trials of children aged 6 to 12, composite fillings in permanent back teeth failed about 1.9 times as often as amalgam. New decay at the edge showed up about 2.1 times as often. That's from a 2018 review by CADTH, Canada's drug and health technology agency.

Less sensitivity afterward. The same review found differences in some measures and not in others, with no consistent pattern. Expect mild sensitivity for a day or two after the numbness wears off, whatever the material.

We use composite only anyway. For baby back teeth, a 2023 American Dental Association guideline already ranks composite, resin-modified glass ionomer and preformed crowns ahead of amalgam. For permanent back teeth, the same guideline keeps amalgam among its first choices, and the durability numbers above favor it.

Our reason: we believe mercury-free materials are the right standard for children. The FDA's caution for children and the 2034 phase-out point the same way.

Composite's weak spot is its edge. The 5 questions further down are how we protect it.

How to Tell If Your Child Has a Cavity

Usually you can't. Early decay causes no pain and often leaves no mark you'd notice at home.

Later on, watch for:

Wincing at cold, hot or sweet food
Chewing on one side, or suddenly refusing crunchy food
A tooth your child says "feels funny"
White, brown or black spots, or a pit you can see

Timing matters more than signs. Baby-tooth enamel is thinner than adult enamel. In a study of primary teeth published in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, decay took about 10 months on average to cross the enamel, then about 17 more to reach the inner dentin. Those are averages, and some cavities move faster.

A checkup every 6 months puts at least 1 look inside that 10-month window, often 2. Regular visits catch a cavity while the fix is still a small filling.

A child in pain today should be seen sooner. Call (303) 500-3202. We prioritize emergency appointments and work to see patients the same business day.

Facial swelling with a fever, or any trouble swallowing or breathing, means the emergency room or 911.

Because a baby molar has years left in it. The ADA's tooth chart has the first baby molars falling out between ages 9 and 11 and the second ones between 10 and 12. A cavity in a 4-year-old's back tooth sits in a tooth with 5 to 8 years to go.

Left alone, decay reaches the nerve. That means pain, broken sleep and sometimes an abscess. An infected baby tooth can damage the permanent tooth forming under it, and a dental infection can affect your child's overall health.

Each baby molar also saves a spot for the premolar growing under it. Lose one early and the teeth beside it drift into the gap. The permanent tooth then comes in short of room, which is how a cavity at 5 turns into crowding at 12, and sometimes into orthodontic treatment.

A sore molar changes how a child eats. They favor the other side and drift away from apples, carrots and anything else that takes real chewing. Front teeth help form sounds like "f," "v" and "th" in the years speech is settling.

And a first filling that goes well teaches a child that the dentist fixes things. That lesson outlasts the tooth.

Why Treating Cavities in Baby Teeth Matters

Why Westminster Families Choose Mini Miners

The drive comes down to 5 answers. Westminster has pediatric dentists closer to home than we are, so ask any office these same questions before a filling.

We call it the before-you-book list. Our answers sit under each one.

1. Which filling material, and is amalgam ever on the table?

Composite, every time. Every filling your child receives at Mini Miners is tooth-colored and bonded to the tooth.

2. Is a filling the right fix, or would a crown hold up better?

Ask this about any large cavity in a back tooth. For baby molars, the 2023 ADA guideline puts preformed crowns in the same top group as composite, so a crown recommendation isn't an upsell by default.

If a crown fits better, we offer 3 kinds. White crowns are tooth-colored caps made from ceramic or zirconia, for front teeth or back molars. Hall crowns are stainless steel and go on with no drilling, no numbing and no sedation. Traditional stainless steel crowns need drilling and numbing, and they're the most durable option. Our crowns page for Westminster families compares them.

3. What happens if my child can't hold still?

This matters more with composite than with amalgam or glass ionomer. It bonds only to a dry tooth, and moisture during placement weakens the bond.

Most of our answer happens before anyone picks up an instrument. Your child chooses the cleaning toothpaste flavor, the fluoride flavor and a movie from more than 70, played on a ceiling-mounted TV.

X-rays are taken right in the treatment room with camera-like X-ray machines, so your child never leaves the movie. Our instruments are small, made for children's mouths. Your child won't hear words like shot, needle or drill. The visit ends at the prize tower.

If that isn't enough, every room is plumbed for nitrous oxide, so it starts in the chair your child is already in. Our chairs adjust so a child can sit more upright and recline gradually. Beyond laughing gas, we offer oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia, given in our office by a licensed anesthesiologist. Our sedation options page explains each level.

4. Can I stay in the room?

Yes. Parents are always welcome in the treatment room. Sit beside your child for the whole filling and ask Dr. Grover anything while she works.

5. Who picks up if the filling breaks at night?

Existing patients call (303) 500-3202 and press 2 to reach our on-call pediatric dentist.

Planning a Filling Visit From Westminster

Plan for 2 things: the drive back to Westminster, and a numb lip that outlasts it.

The numbness. The lip, cheek and tongue stay numb longer than the tooth does. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's guidance on local anesthesia names biting a numb lip, cheek or tongue as the complication to warn families about.

So skip gum and chewy snacks on the ride home, and watch for lip chewing in the back seat. Ask us how long to expect before you leave. It depends on the tooth and the dose.

Laughing gas. Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes. AAPD guidance puts recovery at 2 to 3 minutes once your child breathes plain oxygen at the end of the visit. Plan the afternoon around the numbness instead.

Oral conscious sedation or general anesthesia. The AAPD's instructions for parents call 2 adults preferable when you're driving home, so one can watch your child's breathing without distraction, especially if your child falls asleep in the car seat. That covers every family driving back to Westminster. If breathing becomes abnormal or you can't wake your child, call 911.

Your child may be drowsy and unsteady for the rest of the day. Keep to quiet play with an adult nearby, and no bikes, swimming, playground equipment or stairs.

Food. After numbing alone, normal food is fine once feeling is back. After sedation, the AAPD sheet says to start with sips of clear liquids once your child is alert, then a light first meal like applesauce or soup, and nothing fatty or spicy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a filling appointment take for a child?

Most filling appointments at Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size and location of the cavity. This includes time for your child to get comfortable, laughing gas administration, numbing, the actual filling procedure, and celebration afterward. We never rush a filling appointment. If your child needs extra time to settle in, we take it.

How long do white fillings last in children's teeth?

White fillings typically last five to seven years in children, which is often more than sufficient for baby teeth that will eventually fall out on their own. In permanent teeth, white fillings can last even longer with good brushing habits and regular checkups. Dr. Grover monitors all fillings at your child's routine visits and will let you know if any need attention.

Will my child feel pain during the filling?

No. Dr. Grover uses nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to relax your child before applying local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding area. Your child should feel no pain during the procedure. Our No Scary Words policy and ceiling-mounted movie TVs keep children calm and distracted throughout. Some mild sensitivity after the numbness wears off is normal but usually resolves within a day or two.

What if my child is anxious about getting a filling?

Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry specializes in helping anxious children feel comfortable. We use laughing gas, our No Scary Words policy, ceiling TVs with your child's movie choice, child-paced appointments, and positive reinforcement at every step. Many children who were nervous before their first filling end up having a calm, positive experience. If your child has severe anxiety, ask about our additional sedation options.

Are white fillings safe for children?

Yes. White composite fillings are made from a mixture of tooth-colored resin and glass particles. They contain no mercury and no metal. The materials used in white fillings have been safely used in pediatric dentistry for decades and are approved by the American Dental Association. At Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry, white fillings are the only type we use. We made this choice because we believe mercury-free materials are the right standard for children.

Do you treat cavities in baby teeth?

Yes, and it matters. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to developing permanent teeth underneath. Baby teeth also hold space for adult teeth, so losing one early to decay can cause alignment problems later. Dr. Grover at Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry treats every cavity in baby teeth with the same care and precision as permanent teeth.

Can I stay in the room during my child's filling?

Yes. Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry welcomes parents in the treatment room during all procedures, including fillings. Your presence helps your child feel safe and means you can see exactly what's happening and ask Dr. Grover questions in real time. Some pediatric dental practices ask parents to wait outside, but we take the opposite approach. We believe filling appointments go better when parents are right there beside their child.