Dental problems are common in children. According to the CDC, 49% of kids aged 5-19 years have one or more treated or untreated cavities. Pediatric crowns are one suggestion you might hear from your dentist, but when exactly does your child need them? Here’s what to know.
A pediatric crown is a cap made of special materials that fits over your child’s tooth. It’s a type of child tooth repair typically used to treat cavities in children and restore tooth health or protect it from damage. Your dentist may need to remove some enamel and shape the tooth to fit the crown.
There are several types of crowns designed for kids, and your dentist will choose based on the tooth location, whether it’s a baby or permanent tooth, and tooth health.
Known as silver caps or metal crowns, stainless steel crowns are made of metal alloy and cemented in place to cover the entire tooth. These crowns last the longest and are best for back baby teeth and permanent teeth with major decay. They have a silver or metallic finish.
A composite crown is a plastic or mixed material cap that fits over the tooth and cements into place. These are sometimes called tooth-colored caps or crowns and have a natural tooth appearance. These are best for front and back teeth but may not be as strong as stainless steel crowns.
A zirconia crown is a tooth cap made of the metal zirconium dioxide. It has a natural appearance and is best for front and back teeth. It’s comparable to stainless steel crowns but doesn’t have the metal look and is slightly more expensive.
Your dentist may suggest crowns to treat severe tooth decay, protect broken or cracked teeth, or maintain spacing.
Cavity treatment starts with cleaning out the diseased tooth and filling it. However, sometimes the tooth is too damaged or diseased to support a filling, so your dentist will use a pediatric crown. Once the dentist removes the tooth decay, they place the crown over the top to seal it off from future decay and improve chewing.
Some cracks or injuries to teeth can cause pain, sensitivity, toothaches, and swelling or may lead to an abscess infection. Treatment with a crown helps protect the tooth from further cracking or splitting, saving it from more damage. With treatment, the tooth can function normally and keep your child pain-free.
It may be tempting to pull your child’s diseased teeth since they'll fall out anyway, but this may cause more problems in the future. Baby teeth hold space in your child’s jaw. If they’re pulled, the remaining teeth will naturally move to close the open space and the adult or permanent teeth won’t have enough room to grow properly. Your dentist may suggest crowns to treat the diseased baby teeth and maintain proper spacing, avoiding future problems.
Pediatric crowns are sometimes necessary to treat cavities in children and prevent future dental problems. However, the process doesn’t need to be scary or overwhelming.
Our team at Hines Little Smiles specializes in pediatric dentistry and creating a positive and fun experience for you and your kids. We prioritize your treatment needs and put you at ease with child-friendly facilities. Book an appointment to learn more and find out if a dental crown for your child is right for them.
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
