The long-term success of any dental filling depends on a number of factors. Dental fillings on baby teeth are very similar to restorations on adult teeth. Done correctly, these restorations can easily last many years, until the teeth fall out and permanent teeth replace them.

There are several treatment options for dental cavities on baby front teeth, which your dentist can go over with you. For larger cavities, your dentist may suggest performing a "strip crown" (a tooth-colored filling that is placed over the entire front tooth) and/or a "pulpotomy" (a partial root canal) if the cavity is very close to the nerve or has reached the nerve. Both of these procedures are fairly routine in pediatric dental practices.

It's important to realize that simply getting a dental filling will not stop future cavities from occurring. It is equally important to identify the risk factors in your child's diet and oral hygiene practices in order to protect them from additional dental problems.