Pediatric Dental Crowns In Hammond
No parent wants their kid to deal with toothaches or damaged teeth. Pediatric dental crowns are specially made for tiny teeth to restore those that have been too damaged by decay or injury to be repaired with a simple filling. Keep your child’s smile healthy as they grow and develop.
Why should my child get a pediatric dental crown?
There may be several reasons why a crown may be the best treatment option for your child:
- A cavity that covers multiple surfaces and is too big to be restored with a filling, a crown provides a full coverage restoration that will protect it, more durable
- After pulp therapy, any time a pulpotomy, or nerve treatment, is completed, it needs to be covered and protected by a crown
- Developmental defects such as enamel hypoplasia
- Severe wear from grinding, or fractured teeth that need more support than a filling can offer
Keeping Care Accessible
Every child deserves the chance at a healthy grin. That’s why we have payment options for every budget.
The Benefits of Pediatric Dental Crowns
Reliable
Other restorations leave teeth at risk for re-current cavities that may require additional treatment in the future. A dental crown covers the whole tooth and protects it until the tooth falls out naturally.
Prevent Complications
If your pediatric dentist recommends a crown for your child and they don’t get treatment, they could be at risk of further problems like fractures or dental infections. These complications could cause pain and discomfort, worsen their oral health, and lead to additional costly treatments like root canal therapy or extractions. With a crown, you can protect their tooth and avoid these complications entirely.
Ease of Placement
This is a relatively quick procedure that is ideal for active little ones. It involves the removal of the cavity with minimal tooth reduction, can be completed on the same day, and requires little maintenance.
The Pediatric Dental Crown Treatment Process
Tooth Numbing & Preparation
To begin the process, your child’s dentist will numb their mouth. Then, they will remove the cavitated tooth structure and infected tissue from the tooth. They will shape the tooth into a strong, stable platform. This ensures the dental crown can attach tightly to the remaining tooth.
Crown Selection and Fitting
After the tooth is prepared, the dentist will select a pre-fabricated crown that best matches the size and shape of your child's tooth. For stainless steel crowns, the dentist may make minor adjustments by crimping the edges to ensure a snug fit. Zirconia crowns, which have a passive fit, will be carefully chosen to match the prepared tooth as closely as possible without additional shaping.
Placing The Crown
Once the appropriate crown is selected, the dentist will apply a special dental cement to the inside of the crown and place it onto the prepared tooth. The cement sets quickly, securing the crown in place. The dentist will ensure the crown is properly positioned and that your child's bite is correct before the cement fully hardens. This step completes the same-day procedure, eliminating the need for a second appointment or impression-taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Most commonly, pediatric dental crowns are used to treat extensive cavities, or to repair a tooth that has been damaged by an infection and was restored with a pulpotomy (baby root canal). Because dental crowns cover up and protect the entire structure of the tooth, they can strengthen the tooth after serious decay and help prevent further complications.
Kids can easily damage their baby teeth during accidents, horse play, or contact sports. A crown may be needed to treat your child’s mouth after a dental injury has cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged one of their teeth.
With a crown, the tooth can be quickly repaired to restore its shape and function, and help your child chew, smile, and bite normally once again. It will be completely protected as your child’s mouth continues to grow and their adult teeth begin to erupt.
Your child’s dentist will be the best judge of whether or not they need a dental crown. In some cases, an alternative treatment like dental bonding or a dental filling may be a good option. However, if you think that your child has a deep cavity or an infected tooth, it’s likely that a crown is the best way to restore their smile.
Additionally, if your child suffers from an oral injury and you see that one of their teeth is visibly damaged, they may need a dental crown. In both cases, you should contact your child’s dentist right away to get an emergency consultation and ensure they get the treatment they need.
Yes. Pediatric dental crowns are very durable, and usually last 5+ years. They are intended to cover up and protect your child’s tooth until it falls out naturally, and is replaced by an adult tooth.
No. There is no lengthy recovery process after your child gets a crown. They can resume their day-to-day activities immediately after their appointment and maintain a normal diet. Your child’s tooth may feel a bit sore or tender for a week or two after it’s been placed, but this is normal. Some minor sensitivity is nothing to worry about, as this issue will go away on its own.
To care for your child’s dental crown, all you need to do is treat it like a natural tooth. You will need to brush their teeth at least twice per day for two minutes, and floss their teeth once per day. Depending on their age, they may be able to do this themselves.
Beyond proper oral hygiene, you should make sure your child eats a tooth-friendly, healthy diet low in sugary foods and drinks. You should also set appointments for your child to see their pediatric dentist every six months for a check-up and a teeth cleaning. If you follow these simple steps, your child’s crown will last for years.
Restorative dental care for children is almost always covered by dental insurance, so you can expect your insurance company to cover the cost of one or more pediatric dental crowns. However, the coverage limits, deductibles, and specifics of each insurance policy differ.
For that reason, we highly recommend consulting with your insurer directly to learn more about your coverage before you schedule your child’s appointment with their dentist. This will ensure that you avoid any unexpected bills, and that your child’s treatment is completely covered.