What Kind Of Crown Will Your Child Need?

Posted April 21, 2021

When a cavity develops in your little one’s smile, or a minor chip occurs, then a filling or bonding could repair the tooth using color-matched composite resin. But what if a child’s tooth is severely damaged, or develops an advanced case of decay or an infection? In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist will explain how we restore smiles with crowns, and which kind we may prescribe.

When We Prescribe a Dental Crown

A dental crown covers the entire visible portion of each tooth we place one on. Which means everything above the gum line. For this reason, they make an excellent choice to repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, and offer repair for more severe cases of tooth decay and dental infection. We could also use them to ensure proper chewing, improve speech development, protecting baby teeth, and to avoid the need for losing a baby tooth too soon. But what material will we use, and is it possible for one to blend with the smile?

SSC vs. Ceramic

We use two different materials to repair the smile. For the rear teeth, which must endure greater bite forces and pressure, we opt for a stronger material and may use stainless steel. The restoration is custom-made and will be shaded to fit the tooth and ensure proper bite balance and misalignment. For front facing teeth, we could instead use ceramic. Not only is ceramic strong, but the material can be shaded to blend with the smile, and also contains stain-resistant properties. We also have a material that combines the durability of metal with the esthetics of ceramic. Zirconia is powerful, but can be color-matched for your little one’s smile.

Placement and Care

To place them, we start by administering a local anesthetic and possibly sedation. We then remove structure from the tooth, and take detailed digital images and impressions. At a dental lab, these images will be used to craft the finished product. When you return to the office for a second visit, we place the completed crown onto the tooth. The process usually takes about two visits, and with proper care and attention, the crown could last for years to come. If you have any questions about how we restore little smiles and prevent worsening oral health, then contact our team today. We’re ready to help your child enjoy optimal oral health!

Do You Have Questions About Custom Restorations?

We can help return your child’s smile to full function, health, and beauty. To learn about repairing and improving your smile’s health and beauty, then  by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.