Why Your Child May Need a Kids Dental Crown

Kids dental crowns are a popular option for restoring a smile and offer benefits to children of all ages. A dental crown is a customized, tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or compromised tooth to help restore its shape, size, appearance, and strength. Discover common signs indicating a kids dental crown is right for your child.

Protection for a vulnerable or compromised tooth

A dental crown acts as a protective barrier for a tooth that is compromised in some way, whether by decay, infection, or trauma. Whether the tooth is cracked, chipped, severely decayed, or has undergone endodontic treatment, a kids dental crown can strengthen and protect it from further damage. By covering the entire visible portion of the tooth, a dental crown protects the underlying tooth structure against chewing or biting forces.

Restore tooth function

When a tooth is damaged, its functionality is automatically compromised. A dental crown restores the tooth's full function, allowing children to chew and bite properly without experiencing pain or discomfort. Whether the damage involves one of the front teeth or a molar (the back teeth), well-fitted kids dental crowns help ensure that children can easily eat their favorite foods.

Prevent further dental issues

When a tooth is cracked, broken, or decayed, it can lead to more serious dental problems if left untreated. Kids dental crowns address these problems early on, preventing further damage, decay, infection, and the development of speech challenges (i.e., lisps). Preserving the overall health of the teeth and gums reduces the risk of needing more invasive and costly dental treatments or possibly extracting the tooth altogether.

Restore a complete smile

Kids dental crowns restore function and aesthetics. The most popular types are porcelain, composite, and metal. With each type, the pediatric dentist closely matches the materials to the child's surrounding teeth, ensuring seamless integration into children’s smiles. Misshapen, discolored, or heavily filled teeth can benefit from dental crowns, which provide a natural-looking makeover to a smile.

Boost in confidence

Sometimes, a damaged or discolored tooth may not cause pain, as the tooth nerve has not been disrupted. However, it can seriously impact self-esteem, especially if it is a front tooth. Often, when a child has an obvious flaw in their smile, they hesitate to smile openly or communicate effectively due to embarrassment. A dental crown can restore confidence by providing a natural-looking appearance, allowing a child to smile, laugh, and speak without hesitation.