Can Pediatric Crowns Be Used For Kids?

Pediatric dental crowns are often an unexplored option for parents worried about their children’s teeth. Most often, when you hear about children having cavities, fillings are considered the most widely known solution out there and are most often used by pediatric dentists. However, in some cases, pediatric crowns are also used to help protect the affected tooth and slow down the spread of cavities. For parents wondering whether or not this option is possible, it is considered a highly safe alternative solution used by dentists to protect children’s teeth. If you find yourself uncertain about whether or not crowns are safe to use, then we’re here to inform you all about this type of treatment.

Why Are Pediatric Crowns Used Today?

Pediatric fillings are usually the first step for treating cavities in children, especially when the cavity is considered small enough. Fillings typically have a pretty high success rate for protecting the tooth from further damage and are often easier to work with for children who experience bouts of dental anxiety at the office. But in rarer cases, these filling materials can also be ineffective when large areas of tooth decay are present. If the decay has damaged the tooth at a highly compromising level, then crowns will most likely be needed to protect the remaining tooth until the permanent teeth come in.

One concern often brought up by parents is whether or not treating children’s cavities is even necessary. We’re here to argue that it absolutely matters. Children’s cavities can be detrimental to their oral health because of the ease at which bacteria can spread throughout the mouth, affecting the adjacent teeth and creating multiple areas of cavities. In some cases, the bacteria can even spread to their jawbone and gums, affecting the health of their permanent teeth as they come in. Most of all, children’s cavities greatly affect their ability to eat nutritious foods, socialize, and affect their mental health.

What Options Are There For Pediatric Crowns?

If you’re child’s been recommended for a pediatric crown, know that there are some excellent options out there that can help protect your child’s primary teeth from more cavity damage. These options include:

• Stainless Steel Crowns: Stainless steel crowns are considered the most affordable form of pediatric crowns out there, and their inability to corrode can last a long time. However, on rarer occasions, they can cause metal allergies.
• Tooth-Colored Veneer Steel Crowns: For making these types of crowns more aesthetically pleasing, metal crowns with tooth-colored veneers allow the tooth to appear white while protecting the primary tooth underneath. However, these types of crowns are also more prone to chipping.
• Composite Resin Crowns: Aesthetically pleasing, composite resin crowns provide a natural appearance and avoid using metal as the base material, but they are also reported to be weaker than stainless steel and tend to discolor if not kept clean.
• Zirconia Crowns: These are ceramic crowns that are made with a biocompatible material and are reported to be exceptionally strong and have high aesthetics. However, these are also considered the most expensive option for families.

If you’ve recently learned that your child has tooth decay, visiting your family or pediatric dentist for a consultation can help give you the options you need to keep your child’s teeth healthy and clean.