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Pediatric Crowns
Pediatric dental crowns are used for children who need to preserve the natural appearance of a damaged baby tooth. These crowns are typically stainless steel because they will only be needed until the baby tooth falls out naturally. A pediatric crown protects and restores baby teeth that are too severely damaged or decayed for a filling. By preserving the baby tooth, we can keep the pathway open for the adult tooth and help ensure a healthy smile for your child.
Baby crowns are very different in technique and cost when compared to adult crowns. Pediatric crowns are pre-fabricated and modified chair side by Dr. Jamie while adult crowns typically are fabricated at a laboratory and require an impression or a scan of the mouth. Adult crowns are about 10x more expensive than pediatric crowns.
By preserving a severely broken down baby tooth with a full coverage restoration like a crown, we avoid the need for an extraction and space maintainer in the empty space.
Why Does My Child Need a Dental Crown?
There are certain situations where your kids dentist may suggest a crown for your child, including
- Unsupported enamel: Baby teeth are more brittle than adult teeth. The thin shell of enamel housing the restoration often fractures at weak areas around a restoration margin. A full coverage restoration like a baby crown is a great option when the remaining walls of a cavity preparation are thin and friable. This prevents your child from having additional dental work as the crowns are more durable than compost restorations.
- Nerve treatment: When a baby tooth receives pulpotomy treatment, much of the healthy tooth structure is lost due to decay and access to the nerve chamber of the tooth. A full coverage baby crown is necessary to prevent fracture of the tooth as well as additional dental procedure.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are the most commonly used pediatric dental restoration. As the name implies, they are made of stainless steel and are highly resistant to corrosion. SSCs are also called “silver” crowns because of their appearance. However, these crowns are not silver; they are made of a special alloy of metals that make them shine brightly. Because of their strength, durability and slight flex while snapping onto tooth preparations, SSCs are an excellent choice for restoring decayed teeth. In addition, they are easy to clean and maintain.
Zirconia Crowns
An alternative to stainless steel crowns is a zirconia crown. This is a ceramic, tooth colored material that is an excellent aesthetic alternative to the stainless steel crown.
