The Risks and Benefits of Kid’s Dental Crowns

Being told that your child needs a kids' dental crown would probably be a bit shocking for most parents. After all, why would the dentist want to put a crown on a baby or primary tooth? Well, the truth is, much like fillings, dentists put crowns on kids' teeth to protect them and keep them healthy.

Even though primary teeth are only temporary, your child still needs them until they naturally fall out and are replaced by their adult teeth. For some kids, this can take until they are teens for all of their adult teeth to finally come in. So, what are they to do if some of their baby teeth are damaged before they have their adult teeth?

To help you decide if a dental crown is right for your child's tooth, we are going to weigh the risks and benefits. Always talk with your dentist before making a decision, but the information we have written here is a great place to start when making your decision.

Benefits of Kids’ Crowns

Here are some of the reasons you may want to choose a crown for your child's tooth.

Better durability

Though fillings are the standard treatment for cavities, once a tooth has become severely damaged, a filling is no longer a good option because it simply cannot hold up any longer. Getting a crown placed on the tooth will restore the tooth's function and last longer than a filling.

This can help save your child's tooth from having to be extracted early and allow them the time to lose that tooth naturally when their adult teeth come in.

Customization

When you get a crown put on your child's tooth, you have options that you can choose from. You can choose to go for the most durable crown possible or opt for one that looks as close to a natural tooth as possible. This is important for kids who may feel self-conscious about how their teeth look.

You can even have the crown tinted to match the child's natural tooth color to make it look even more natural.

Disadvantages of Kids’ Crowns

Here are some of the reasons you may choose not to get a kids' dental crown for your child's tooth.

The initial cost is high

As most adults know, the cost of a crown is a considerable amount higher than getting a filling. If you find that you will be paying out of pocket for your child's dental work, you may want to look at a more affordable option than getting a crown. If a filling is still viable, this can be a good alternative, but always consult your dentist about the most effective and safe option.

They can damage other teeth

One thing about crowns is that they can be bulky and abrasive. This can damage other teeth if the crown starts to rub against neighboring teeth. Over time, your child may require more dental work if the other teeth become too damaged from rubbing against the crown, and this can be both time-consuming and costly financially.

Consider where the crown would go, the materials used, and whether or not it would risk the health of any other teeth if it were placed.