Is Your Child a Candidate for Kids Dental Crowns?

Kids dental crowns are a common treatment in pediatric dentistry that restores and protects damaged primary and permanent teeth. Also referred to as dental caps, these restorations help maintain a child's oral health by covering and strengthening weakened teeth. Pediatric dentists often recommend crowns when other restorative treatments, such as dental fillings, are not enough to effectively preserve the tooth.

An overview of dental crowns

A kids dental crown is a tooth-shaped covering placed over a child's damaged or decayed primary tooth to protect it from further injury. Crowns are durable, shielding the tooth from bacteria, saliva, and everyday biting pressure. Since kids' dental crowns provide long-term protection, pediatric dentists often use them when a less invasive procedure would not be effective. The dentist may need to remove a small amount of the tooth’s structure to accommodate the crown, ensuring it remains secure until the primary tooth naturally falls out.

Candidacy for kids’ dental crowns

Several dental conditions may require a pediatric dentist to recommend a dental crown for a child, including:

Tooth decay

Dental crowns can effectively restore decayed teeth when fillings are no longer a viable option. Pediatric dentists usually recommend crowns for cases of severe decay where there is a risk of the tooth falling apart if left exposed to bite forces. These treatments involve the dentist removing decayed matter from the tooth and rebuilding it with filling material before placing a crown on it.

Cracked teeth

A pediatric dentist might recommend a crown for chipped or cracked primary teeth to protect them against further damage or infection. Placing a crown on a chipped or cracked tooth also restores its appearance and function, allowing young patients to chew and speak properly with the damaged tooth.

Developmental defects or discoloration

Some children are born with weakened enamel or other developmental dental issues that compromise the structure of their teeth. This can increase the risk of cracks, fractures, and infection. In cases where teeth are severely discolored due to injury or medication, kids dental crowns can restore their natural appearance.

Premature baby tooth loss

Although primary teeth eventually fall out, premature tooth loss can create spacing issues. It can even lead to misalignment of permanent teeth. When combined with space maintainers or other restorative treatments, crowns help support the alignment of incoming adult teeth.

Teeth that require root canals

A baby root canal is usually recommended when a primary tooth's pulp chamber has been damaged. The damage leaves the soft tissues inside it exposed to bacteria in the mouth, making the tooth vulnerable to infections and other health complications. Root canals involve cleaning the damaged tooth and filling its pulp chamber with gutta-percha. Unfortunately, root canals can leave the treated tooth more fragile. Placing a dental crown over the tooth strengthens and protects it, ensuring it remains intact until the permanent tooth erupts.