How Kids Dental Crowns Can Save a Damaged Tooth

Kids dental crowns effectively restore strength, function, and appearance to compromised teeth. Designed to protect and reinforce, they help prevent further damage while allowing the natural tooth to remain in place. If your child has a damaged tooth, learning about the advantages of a crown can help you decide what steps to take for their oral development and health.

How kids dental crowns work

A kids dental crown gets its name from how it sits on top of a tooth like a crown. To ensure a proper fit, a pediatric dentist carefully prepares the affected tooth and takes impressions, which a dental lab uses to create a custom-made crown. Depending on the child’s needs, options include durable metal crowns or tooth-colored materials, such as porcelain, that blend naturally with surrounding teeth.

Getting a kids dental crown requires multiple visits to a pediatric dentist. At the first appointment, the dentist takes X-rays to assess the level of damage to the teeth. They also take impressions and prepare the tooth, often placing a temporary crown to protect it until the second appointment.

Typically, the permanent crown will be ready for placement in about two weeks. The patient can return to the dental office for their second appointment, during which the pediatric dentist checks the fit of the crown. If all is satisfactory, they will cement the crown in place. Patients can usually go back to school the same day.

When kids dental crowns are recommended

Kids dental crowns provide a strong and lasting solution for a variety of oral health concerns. The following are ways a crown can save a compromised tooth:

Repairing chipped or broken teeth

Accidents and trauma can cause chipped or broken teeth. Kids dental crowns cover the entire tooth, restoring it to its original size and form. They also safeguard the tooth to prevent further decay or infection.

Stopping advanced decay

In some cases, cavities can get too large for traditional fillings. Kids dental crowns save the day by encasing the problem area. After removing the decay, a pediatric dentist will cover the tooth with a crown to prevent the decay from returning and spreading to neighboring teeth.

Strengthening a treated tooth

Although root canal therapy saves an infected tooth, this tooth may be brittle and need extra reinforcement afterward. This is typically the case when a large portion of the treated tooth has been lost, such as due to decay or damage. A kids dental crown can reinforce the tooth and restore its form and function.

Protection for worn teeth

Significant tooth wear can occur in young patients who grind their teeth (bruxism). While a kids dental crown cannot stop tooth grinding, it can restore the tooth to its original shape. After crown placement, a pediatric dentist may also recommend a night guard to prevent further damage; most patients with bruxism grind their teeth while sleeping.