Dental crowns are caps that fit over a decayed or damaged tooth in order to protect and preserve that tooth. In cases of severe decay or damage, your Stone Oak Pediatric Dentist will likely recommend pediatric pulp therapy to remove the decayed or damaged tissue and a pediatric dental crown to restore the tooth. Preventing the premature loss of primary teeth is highly important because primary teeth are responsible for holding adequate amounts of space for the permanent teeth. Dental crowns for children are one of the primary methods of preserving decayed primary teeth until they are naturally pushed out by the permanent teeth.
Did You Know?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental decay is one of the most prevalent chronic childhood diseases. In fact, they note that 1 in 5 children have at least one untreated decayed tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does my child need a pediatric dental crown?
While only a pediatric dentist can accurately diagnose the need for a pediatric dental crown, your child may need a dental crown if they:
- Have severe tooth decay that cannot be fixed with a filling
- Are not cooperative and your dentist wants to minimize the amount of sedation used for dental procedures
- Do not comply with daily hygiene practices and are at risk of developing dental decay
To determine if your child needs a pediatric dental crown, schedule a consultation with your Stone Oak Pediatric Dentist today.
What is the difference between pediatric and adult dental crowns?
Pediatric dental crowns are not intended to last a long time and should fall out with the primary tooth. As such, they are fabricated from different materials than dental crowns used for teens and adults. In cases where pulp therapy was performed, the interior of the tooth is also filled with a material that will be safely absorbed by the body, allowing the tooth to be naturally lost. Dental crowns for children are also selected from a range of sizes, rather than being custom made by a dental lab.
What materials are used for pediatric dental crowns?
Stainless steel is a common dental material used to fabricate dental crowns for kids. It is inexpensive, durable, and more successful than dental fillings. Stainless steel dental crowns have been used since the 1940s and have been proven to effectively protect decayed primary teeth.
Dental crowns for children can also be fabricated out of dental composite resin, especially in cases regarding the front teeth. Composite resin can be color-matched and is affordable, however it is also able to become easily cracked or chipped. However, composite resin can also be combined with stainless steel for long-term restorations. The combination of resin and stainless steel is known as resin veneer crowns.
For short-term or temporary tooth restoration, polycarbonate crowns can be used. Polycarbonate pediatric crowns are fabricated using polycarbonate resin shells and micro-glass fibers. They are tooth-colored and somewhat translucent. Finally, pediatric dental crowns can be fabricated from zirconia. Pediatric zirconia crowns are a highly durable choice for restoring front and back teeth.
What can I expect when my child has a pediatric dental crown placed?
To place a pediatric dental crown, your child will be sedated and anesthetized to keep them calm and numb during the procedure. Your Stone Oak Pediatric Dentist will begin by removing the decayed or damaged tissue before reshaping the exterior of the tooth to fit a dental crown. Once the tooth has been reshaped, the dental crown will be adhered over the top of the tooth.