Dental Crowns for Kids 101

Oral hygiene is the basis of your child’s oral health. However, the child might still develop dental problems. Some of the dental problems affect the child’s tooth structure and functionality. Sometimes, your child might be at risk of developing complications such as gum infection and tooth loss.

Since damaged teeth increase the risk of complications, you can consider a restorative and preventive treatment such as dental crowns. Getting dental crowns can be beneficial to your teeth. However, is it suitable for children with milk teeth? The answer is yes. Below is what you need to know about dental crowns for children.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are caps that cover damaged teeth to prevent infections, improve their appearance and functionalities. Some of the reasons why your child might need a dental crown include:

• A large cavity in their tooth that is not treatable using a dental filling
• Broken or fractured tooth due to a dental injury
• To protect your tooth from breaking or infections after a root canal treatment
• Preventing adjacent teeth from shifting towards the gap after tooth extraction

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be temporary or permanent. However, the tooth crowns can vary in type. When your child is getting dental crowns in Houston, TX, the dentist will advise you on how to choose suitable tooth restorations. Some of the types of dental crowns include:

Ceramic Dental Crowns

Ceramic dental crowns resemble your natural teeth since the dentist can choose a shade that matches your teeth. The porcelain crowns are relatively stronger. However, the tooth crowns are still prone to chipping and cracking. Therefore, your dentist will recommend such dental crowns for front teeth.

Alloy Tooth Crowns

Metal or alloy dental crowns are products of gold, chromium, and nickel. If you are looking for dental crowns that can last long and withstand pressure, you can consider dental crowns. However, metal crowns are not suitable for front teeth since they are not aesthetic.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

If you are looking for dental crowns for any part of the mouth, you can consider porcelain-fused-to-metal ones. Such dental crowns have a metal framework and a porcelain body. Therefore, your crowns can serve strength and smile aesthetics.

Why Get Dental Crowns Rather Than Tooth Extraction

Your child’s primary start falling off at six years. Therefore, most parents opt for tooth extraction. However, missing teeth on your child’s jaw might have some demerits.

When you prematurely get your child’s tooth, your child might be at risk of some complications later. The adjacent teeth might shift towards the gap, causing complications when the permanent tooth starts to erupt. Also, missing teeth cause bone degradation. Therefore, your kid might need bone grafting later in life.

The Procedure of Getting Kids’ Dental Crowns Near Me

If your child has damaged teeth and requires dental crowns, the dentist will begin by examining their teeth. At the pediatric dentistry near you, the dentist will check if your child’s teeth are fit for dental crowns.

After checking your child’s teeth, your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing signs of decay and shed some parts of the enamel. The dentist will then take impressions of the child’s teeth and send them to a dental lab. At the dental lab, dental technologists will create the dental crowns using the impressions.

Once the dental crowns arrive from the dental lab, the dentist will schedule the next appointment. In the meantime, your dentist might recommend temporary crowns. During the second dental appointment, the dentist will place the dental crowns and cement them into place.

Preventing the Need for Kid’s Dental Crowns

Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, you can consider the following preventive tips to avoid kids’ dental crowns:

• Ensure your kids brush their teeth at least twice daily
• Help your kids floss their teeth to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar
• Take your child to a dentist regularly for dental exams and cleanings
• Discourage your kids from biting or chewing on hard objects
• Make sure your child wears protective mouthguards when playing contact sports

If you are looking for a dentist near you for dental crowns, you can consider visiting us at Urbach Pediatric Dentistry.