“Your child has dental cavities” those are the most devastating words for any parent and at Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry we understand the agony. That’s why we offer various restorative dental solutions to help redeem the situation. If the dental cavity is small, our pediatric dentist in Houston will recommend a dental filling. However, in advance cases, a pediatric dental crown can be used to save the tooth. Here are some of the common questions we encounter on dental crowns.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a restorative caps used to cover teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance. When fixed correctly, the dental crowns will encase the visible tooth and protect it from decay.

When Are Pediatric Dental Crowns Used?

Our pediatric dentist 77084 may recommend dental crowns for your child in different situations such as:

• To save a tooth that is decayed and can’t support a dental filling
• If your child has a high risk of getting dental cavities
• To restore broken teeth or those that are severely worn out

Are the Dental Crowns Necessary, my child will Lose the Primary Teeth Anyway?

Yes, the primary teeth will eventually fall out. However, what you fail to take into consideration is that the child will need these primary teeth for the majority of their childhood. Primary teeth come in when the child is six months and they begin to fall at age six or seven. The primary molar and premolars will fall out between 10 and 12 years. So, it is important to protect these teeth not only to maintain your child’s dental health but also because they act as placeholders.

Our dentist will recommend the dental crowns instead of extracting the decayed teeth because the premature loss of the primary or baby teeth may permanently damage your child’s dental structure. Additionally, the permanent teeth may become crooked or crowded, thereby creating the need for braces and other restorative dental treatments.

What’s The Preferred Dental Crown?

Although there are several dental crowns types, we recommend stainless dental crowns. Stainless steel crowns are pre-made caps that are used to cover primary teeth as a temporary measure. We prefer stainless steel to the rest because as the primary teeth fall off so does the crowns.

Furthermore, the crowns are fixed in one dental visit and are ideal for children with dental phobia.

Other types of dental crowns include:

• Porcelain crowns are natural-looking and long-lasting but are not ideal for children who clench and grind their teeth
• Zirconia crowns are the modern type and are perfect if the child suffers from bruxism.

What is Involved in The Dental Procedure?

Stainless steel crowns are the recommended option unless stated otherwise and they require only one dental visit.

Our pediatric dentist will examine the dental condition and clean off the decay. However, if the decay extends to the pulp, they might perform a pulpotomy or pulpectomy (similar to a root canal) to remove the infection. The dentist will then select the right size crown, re-shape it and cement in place.

Is The Procedure Painful?

Not at all, our pediatric dentist will give local anesthesia. Nitric oxide or laughing gas may be used if the pulpotomy is performed to reduce nervousness and help the child be still during the procedure.

What Should I Do After the Procedure?

The child should refrain from eating for a few hours until the anesthesia wears off to keep them from injuring their cheeks or tongue. Our dentist may recommend pain relievers to reduce the discomfort.

What to Expect After the Treatment?

In the first few days, your child may have difficulty eating or speaking as they adjust to the crowns. Furthermore, you may notice that they have a high bite and are not able to close their teeth, but this will disappear in a few weeks.

How Long Will the Dental Crowns Last?

The pediatric dental crowns will stay in place until the primary teeth start to fall off naturally. However, without proper care and with constant grinding, the dental crown may wear down and may need to be extracted before time.

Does your child need dental crowns? Contact our pediatric dentist in Houston for a consultation and dental assessment.