Dental Crowns for Children
What are dental crowns for children?
Children experience many of the same oral health issues as adults, such as tooth decay and cracked teeth. As with adult patients, Dr. Abraham of Castle Hills Pediatric Dentistry may recommend a crown for your child. Crowns are dental appliances that cover and protect a damaged tooth. The reasons to consider a crown is that your child may lose one or more teeth if the crown is not used.
Why might your child need dental crowns?
Tooth decay is common in younger patients. The crown covers the tooth completely to prevent bacteria from damaging the tooth. A crown is indicated for a tooth with extensive caries, developmental defects, following baby root canals, for the intermediate restoration of fractured teeth, and for definitive restorative treatment for high caries-risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
What are the different types of dental crowns for children?
There are three main types of crowns offered by Dr. Abraham here at Castle Hills Pediatric Dentistry:
White crowns
White crowns are one of the material of choice for front teeth. This provides esthetics and durable coverage for the tooth. The material can be resin, full porcelain or stainless steel coated with porcelain on the front. Full coverage of the tooth is indicated when a filling cannot be done due to reasons such as large cavities, after baby root canals, fractured tooth and high caries risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive.
Silver Crowns
Metal crowns have been indicated for the restoration of primary and permanent teeth with extensive caries, developmental defects on teeth when failure of other available restorative materials is likely, following baby root canals, for the intermediate restoration of fractured teeth, and for definitive restorative treatment for high caries-risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive.
Hall Crown
This is one of the recent minimally invasive technique where a stainless steel crown is placed directly over the baby tooth with cavity with little or no cavity removal. This will provide a seal to the tooth and the bacteria inside the tooth perishes. This procedure can be a valid alternative, particularly when children are unable to accept conventional treatment with local anesthesia or numbing medicine. This technique cannot be done on all cases and proper case selection is needed.
Dr Abraham carefully assess your child if they are a candidate for Hall technique. During the first visit a small elastic is placed between the teeth to create space. After 2-7 days, the patient will return to the office for the removal of elastic, correct size of the crown is obtained and is glued to the tooth with a dental cement or adhesive. This procedure is relatively quick and requires some cooperation. This technique can be combined with the application of silver diamine fluoride.
If your child needs a dental crown, we will work with you to determine the best option to fit your child’s individual situation.
White Crowns
White crowns are one of the material of choice for front teeth. This provides esthetics and durable coverage for the tooth. The material can be resin, full porcelain or stainless steel coated with porcelain on the front. Full coverage of the tooth is indicated when a filling cannot be done due to reasons such as large cavities, after baby root canals, fractured tooth and high caries risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive.
Silver Crowns
Metal crowns have been indicated for the restoration of primary and permanent teeth with extensive caries, developmental defects on teeth when failure of other available restorative materials is likely, following baby root canals, for the intermediate restoration of fractured teeth, and for definitive restorative treatment for high caries-risk children. They are used more frequently in patients whose treatment is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive.
Hall Crowns
This is one of the recent minimally invasive technique where a stainless steel crown is placed directly over the baby tooth with cavity with little or no cavity removal. This will provide a seal to the tooth and the bacteria inside the tooth perishes. This procedure can be a valid alternative, particularly when children are unable to accept conventional treatment with local anesthesia or numbing medicine. This technique cannot be done on all cases and proper case selection is needed.
Dr Abraham carefully assess your child if they are a candidate for Hall technique. During the first visit a small elastic is placed between the teeth to create space. After 2-7 days, the patient will return to the office for the removal of elastic, correct size of the crown is obtained and is glued to the tooth with a dental cement or adhesive. This procedure is relatively quick and requires some cooperation. This technique can be combined with the application of silver diamine fluoride.
If your child needs a dental crown, we will work with you to determine the best option to fit your child’s individual situation.
Hall Crown Process
Separators placed in between teeth
Separators removed
Right after cementing crown
What happens during the procedure for dental crowns for children?
A portion of the tooth enamel needs to be removed to accommodate the crown. After Dr. Abraham reshapes the tooth, she places the crown over the natural tooth and holds it in place with dental adhesive. Dr. Abraham also provides education and guidance to your child about ways to improve brushing and flossing techniques.
If you think that your child needs dental crowns or would like more information, call our office today and one of our staff will be happy to help you.
Before & After
Before & After
