Dental Crowns for Kids: What Are the Options?
Dental crowns for kids might be recommended if your child has a severely damaged or decayed tooth. Tooth decay is the most common dental issue that affects children due to a myriad of factors like children having less developed brushing skills and an affinity for sweet things. The bacteria that produce the acids that lead to tooth decay feast on sugars, and poor oral hygiene means these acids are left on teeth for longer periods.
Fillings are the standard way to treat cavities caused by tooth decay, but that is only an option early on. If decay goes unnoticed, it can end up damaging the tooth to the point it needs a dental crown for kids to keep it intact.
If you are wondering why dentists simply do not just extract such teeth since baby teeth eventually get replaced with permanent ones, that is because baby teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. Losing baby teeth prematurely can lead to dental issues like teeth becoming misaligned. That is why dentists try to save baby teeth even though they are temporary teeth.
Your options when it comes to dental crowns for kids
Let us take a closer look at the different types of crowns a dentist might recommend for a child:
1. Stainless steel
These are the most recommended type of crowns for children, and they are often called silver crowns. These restorations are durable and strong, making them a great option for anyone who is not worried about having a natural-looking restoration. Dentists might recommend other types of crowns for children with metal allergies.
2. Stainless steel with white facings
Here is a more aesthetic type of stainless-steel crown. A white facing is added to the crown to make it look more natural. It is a better option than a conventional stainless crown for a front tooth that will be visible whenever the wearer opens their mouth. The facing does add some extra bulk to the tooth though. Over time, the facing might start to chip, exposing the silver steel underneath.
3. Composite crowns
These crowns are color-matched with the child’s teeth. These composites are made from mixtures of plastic and glass, and they look like real teeth. However, they are not as durable as stainless-steel crowns, they are more prone to staining, and they cost more. Composite crowns are also prone to chipping.
4. Zirconia
These crowns are made from zirconia, which is a biocompatible material that is as strong as many metals. These crowns are matched with the color of the patient’s teeth and covered with a glaze that makes them shine like a real tooth. It allows the restored tooth to blend in with the rest of the child’s teeth.
A crown can save your child’s tooth
A dental crown for kids can be used to keep your child’s tooth intact until it is ready to fall out naturally. Give us a call or visit our Middletown clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in Middletown, NY.
Recent Posts
While commonly associated with adults, dental crowns play a significant role in pediatric dentistry, so here, we explain the various aspects of kids dental crowns, including their purpose, recommendations, types, and placement process.Kids dental crowns can help parents protect their child's oral health and development. Here is everything that parents should know about when kids…
Pediatric dentistry is a field that deals specifically with the care of infants, children’s, and teenagers' teeth. More often than not, children experience a need for stainless-steel dental crowns. These crowns are most commonly used in pediatric dentistry due to their durability. When a child has badly decayed teeth, they should be seen by a…
The idea of a baby dental crown may spark fear in parents. However, rest assured that the procedure is straightforward and efficient. Modern-day dentistry has evolved quite a bit, and the dental specialist or pediatric dentist that performs this procedure undergoes extensive training to ensure perfection during and after the procedure is complete.When parents are…
If your dentist has recommended a baby dental crown for your child, you probably have questions about the procedure. A dental crown helps protect your child’s primary tooth from further damage and is often suggested when a tooth cannot be repaired with a dental filling. Here are frequently asked questions about baby dental crowns.A dental…