Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a strong restorative dentistry solution for a damaged tooth. At Kid Grins in Edina, MN, Dr. Mitchell Loeb assesses your child’s dental complications to determine if a customized crown is the best way to treat what’s happening with their oral health.
Reasons to Get a Dental Crown for Your Child
Dental crowns for kids restore a tooth to its original shape and size so it works properly and holds its rightful place in a child’s mouth. Here are just some of the possible reasons your pediatric dentist may recommend a dental crown.
- A large part of the tooth is compromised by a break, crack, or chip.
- A tooth is weak and in danger of deteriorating.
- A problem tooth threatens the health of neighboring teeth.
- The tooth is damaged and will break further without intervention.
- There is significant decay that requires the removal of a large area of tooth enamel.
In some situations, tooth-colored fillings are enough of a restorative dentistry solution for a child’s dental problem. In other cases, a crown is the best choice for keeping their teeth strong and free from complications.
Why Baby Teeth Sometimes Need Dental Crowns
Baby teeth fall out to make room for adult teeth, so it’s natural for parents to wonder why a restoration is necessary if a child has a damaged primary tooth and your pediatric dentist recommends a crown. Wouldn’t it just be easier to extract the tooth? Not necessarily, and here’s why:
- Every baby tooth is a placeholder for adult teeth. Early tooth loss can lead to developmental problems for their smile and the need for extensive orthodontics later.
- With baby teeth firmly in position, alignment is maintained, as well as space, so adult teeth can ideally erupt in the right location at the right time.
- The first job of adult teeth is to push baby teeth out of the way. A crown does not prevent this from happening, it protects the baby tooth so it can be lost at the right time.
The Dental Crown Process for Kids
Getting a dental crown is an involved situation for kids that often requires a few visits to the dentist. Full crowns cover the entire tooth in this process, so further problems are prevented from developing.
- Consultation. Your pediatric dentist reviews what’s happening with your child’s tooth and recommends the most appropriate restoration, whether that is a dental crown, tooth-colored filling, extraction, or otherwise.
- Preparation. Damaged areas of the tooth are removed and the tooth is shaped and smooth so the crown can be placed over it. An impression of the tooth is made to customize the crown in shape, size, and color.
- Temporary. In some circumstances, a temporary crown is placed to cover a compromised tooth while your child waits for the final restoration.
- Bonding. When the permanent crown is ready it is fitted to the tooth, adjusted, and bonded permanently in place.
Get a Child’s Dental Crown from Your Edina Pediatric Dentist
Kids develop dental problems. They fall, bite down on things they shouldn’t, or develop cavities or infections – just like adults. Crowns are often the best intervention to get their smile back to working order, restore good oral health, and keep their teeth working properly as they manage daily life.
At Kid Grins, we are ready to help your child maintain healthy teeth, whether that means restorative dental care like dental crowns or less advanced solutions. The goal is to keep a strong smile that functions properly and is pain free. Contact us to schedule an appointment and get help with any tooth problems your child is experiencing.
