Baby and adult teeth
Cavity care with clear options
Clear options for a cavity, from watching a small spot to fillings and crowns, with prices before we start.
What to know
Cavities in baby teeth still matter. Those teeth hold space for adult teeth and help kids chew and speak. When we find one, we show you on the screen, explain the options for your child's age and the size of the spot, and put the prices in writing. You choose. Nothing starts until you say so.
A good fit for
- A spot found at a checkup
- A tooth that hurts with cold or sweets
- A dark spot or hole you can see at home
- Second opinions on a treatment plan
How a filling visit goes
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Comfort plan
5 minWe agree on comfort first: a show on the ceiling, laughing gas if you choose it, and hand signals for breaks.
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Numbing gel, then a gentle numb
5 minA flavored gel goes on first, so the numbing feels like a pinch at most. We call it 'sleepy juice', never a shot.
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Clean and fill
15 to 30 minWe remove the soft part and fill with a tooth-colored material that matches.
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Lip check and a sticker
5 minNumbness lasts an hour or two. We remind your child not to chew their lip.
After the visit
- Soft foods until the numbness wears off.
- Watch for lip or cheek chewing while numb.
- Children's pain reliever as directed if the tooth feels sore.
- Call us if pain grows after a day or two.
Options we may talk about
Which one fits depends on the tooth, the size of the spot and your child. We explain the trade-offs. You decide.
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Small, early spots
Watch and strengthen
Extra fluoride, diet changes and a recheck in a few months. Sometimes paired with silver diamine fluoride, which can darken the spot.
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Most cavities
Tooth-colored filling
The soft part is removed and replaced with a white filling. Usually one visit.
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Large cavities
Crown on a baby tooth
A small cap covers the whole tooth when a filling won't hold. It falls out with the baby tooth.
What it usually costs
These are typical self-pay ranges at our office. With insurance or Kite Club, your share is usually lower. The exact number comes in writing before any treatment.
Insurance and Kite ClubCavity care
- Tooth-colored filling, per tooth
- $160 to $320
- Silver diamine fluoride, per tooth
- $30 to $60
- Crown on a baby tooth
- $350 to $750
- Nerve treatment on a baby tooth (pulpotomy)
- $200 to $400
Coverage for fillings and crowns depends on your plan. You get a written estimate with your share before the visit is booked. Kite Club members save 15% on treatment.
Parent questions
Why fix a baby tooth that will fall out?
Some baby back teeth stay until age 10 to 12. A cavity can grow, hurt or get infected in that time, and an early loss can let other teeth drift into the space.
Can we wait and watch?
Sometimes, for small early spots. We'll tell you honestly when watching is reasonable and when it isn't.
Will my child need laughing gas?
Many kids don't. If your child is anxious or the visit is longer, it's an option. See our sedation page for how we decide.
More answers on our parent FAQ.
More care for your child
Worried about a tooth?
We keep time open every weekday for problem visits. If your child is in a lot of pain or a tooth was knocked out, please call instead.