A dental crown is one of the best ways to treat a tooth that has been damaged by tooth decay or a dental injury. With a crown from Dr. Alex at Kids Tooth Team, you can restore your child’s bite and smile, and prevent further dental complications. Contact us for a consultation today.
Zirconia crowns are tooth-colored, and are made out of a durable ceramic material that is very similar to natural enamel. They are a great option if your child needs a crown on a front or back tooth, since they will look and feel just like a natural part of your child’s smile.
Stainless steel crowns are commonly used to treat baby teeth. They are available in a variety of prefabricated sizes and shapes, and can be placed in your child’s mouth in just a single appointment, often with the minimally-invasive Hall Technique.
Stainless steel crowns are very durable and strong, and are also inexpensive. This makes them perfect for treating baby teeth and protecting them until they fall out naturally as your child grows.
The Hall Technique is a method of placing a crown which involves no drilling or numbing needles. The affected tooth is simply cleaned and disinfected, and a special dental cement is used to attach a stainless steel crown directly to the tooth. Not all patients can have a crown placed with the Hall Technique, but it’s a great option for eligible kids.
To begin, Dr. Alex will clean your child’s mouth. Then, the area will be numbed, and the tooth will be prepared. (Note that this step is not required in the Hall Technique process.)
To prepare the tooth, Dr. Alex will drill away damaged and decayed tooth structure, reshaping the underlying tooth. Then, the area will be cleaned. If your child is getting a prefabricated crown, Dr. Alex will choose the appropriate crown and attach it to the tooth using dental cement.
Here are a few of the most common reasons that kids need dental crowns:
Cavities that are very deep and extensive should not be treated with fillings, as large fillings can weaken teeth. Crowns are usually a better alternative.
Crowns cover and protect the entire tooth structure, making them a great option for kids who have had a tooth cracked or broken by dental trauma.
After a nerve treatment with a pulpotomy or a pulpectomy to treat a tooth infection, a crown is the only way to cover up and protect the tooth structure.
Dental crowns require no special aftercare or downtime. However, there are a few things you should be on the lookout for after your child’s procedure.
Your child’s tooth may ache and feel a little sensitive after their treatment. This is to be expected, and should subside within 1-2 weeks. A little bleeding or oozing is normal after an extraction or crown as well, and should subside within 24 hours.
Serious pain and discomfort that comes out of nowhere or keeps your child up at night is not normal and could indicate that further treatment is needed. If your child complains of serious pain after their treatment, come back to Kids Tooth team for a follow-up with Dr. Alex.