5 FAQs About Kid’s Dental Crowns

Considering kid's dental crowns for your child? Read on to learn more about this restoration option. Preventive measures are usually preferable when it comes to protecting children's dental health. As parents, your best efforts may not always be enough to prevent the need for restorations like kid’s dental crowns.

5 Common questions about kid’s dental crowns

The following are some frequently asked questions about dental crowns for children:

1. What are a kid’s dental crowns?

Both children and adults can benefit from dental crowns, which are tooth-shaped "caps" cemented over a tooth to strengthen it, restore its natural shape and size, and enhance its appearance. Dental crowns for children are often constructed of tooth-colored materials or stainless steel and are customized to fit over the primary teeth.

2. Why would a child need a dental crown?

A dental crown may be necessary for your child for various reasons. For instance, a crown may be necessary if a tooth has extensive decay and cannot support a filling. A crown can restore the shape and size of a tooth if it is fractured or significantly worn down. Also, crowns may be recommended to safeguard a child's teeth if they have a condition that makes them especially susceptible to cavities despite diligent brushing and flossing.

3. Are a kid’s dental crowns and adult crowns different?

Dental crowns for children and adults serve the same general goal, but there are important distinctions between the two. One is that crowns for kids are typically prefabricated and only require one appointment to place. However, adult crowns are often created to order in a laboratory and placed over the course of two dental appointments. It is possible to use a variety of materials, too. While porcelain, ceramic, and metal are all viable options for adult crowns, stainless steel is generally the material of choice for children's crowns due to its durability.

4. What is the process for getting a kid’s dental crowns?

The dentist will perform an oral examination and potentially x-ray the area to determine the full scope of the decay or damage. Crown preparation involves shaping the tooth to receive the restoration. This process entails preparing the tooth for the crown by cleaning it, eliminating decay, and shaping it to fit the crown. After preparing the tooth, the dental professional will cement the crown into place.

5. How can parents care for their child’s dental crown?

Once cemented, a crown requires the same maintenance as a normal tooth. Daily brushing and flossing are important to maintain a healthy crown and gums. Despite the crown's resilience, parents should remind their children to refrain from chewing on hard candies and overly crunchy foods. Keeping up with routine dental checkups will keep the crown in good shape and functioning well.