Dental Crowns for Kids: Common Reasons Your Child’s Smile May Benefit from a White Crown
Could your child benefit from a white dental crown?
There are many reasons that your child could need a dental crown, and thanks to advances in dental technology, white crowns are now a possibility.
Silver crowns are the traditional option, and are regularly used because of their strength and durability, which makes them ideal for withstanding the biting forces of back molars, but many people find them unsightly.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine a metal crown with a white overlay for the best of both materials, but patients often notice a gray line at the base of the crown where the tooth and crown meet.
White dental crowns are tooth-colored, and Dr. Sean Cooper is a training instructor for Sprig, a company that is on the forefront of white dental crown technology. At Spinnaker Pediatric Dental, we use Sprig’s EZCrowns for our white crowns for children.
Why might my child need a dental crown?
The reason spinnaker Pediatric Dental might recommend that your child get dental crowns is because there is tooth damage and your child’s teeth need to be restored or protected. Using dental crowns is common, and a crown can help preserve your child’s smile, as well as prevent tooth decay and cavities. There are four main reasons your child might need a dental crown.
- Tooth Decay and Large Cavities: If your child has tooth decay or a large cavity on one of their primary teeth, and their adult teeth aren’t ready to come in yet, your dentist may choose to use a dental crown as a way to preserve the tooth.
- Chipped or Fractured Teeth: A crown can be used to help protect a chipped or fractured tooth from obtaining any more damage. If your child were to lose a tooth prematurely, there is the possibility that their adult teeth may not come in correctly, leading to dental problems in the future. A missing tooth can also affect your child’s speech and eating habits, which is why dentists advise against tooth extraction and recommend white dental crowns whenever possible.
- Protecting Weakened Teeth: If your child has weak teeth due to allergies or another medical reason, your dentist may recommend dental crowns to help ensure the integrity of your child’s teeth so they can eat properly.
- Addressing Tooth Development Issues: For any other dental issue that needs to be addressed by having a stronger tooth, a dental crown could be an option that your dentist choses on your child’s baby teeth.
What is a white dental crown?
At Spinnaker Pediatric Dental, Dr. Cooper is trained to use Sprig EZCrown white dental crowns on patients. These crowns are tooth-colored in appearance versus traditional crowns that are silver in nature. These white dental crowns are made of ceramic and zirconia, which look and feel like natural teeth, so no one will know your child has crowns at all. The zirconia material is also very durable, and trusted by many dentists. The durable material means your child’s dental crown will last until their primary teeth fall out to make way for their adult teeth. The use of zirconia and porcelain in EZCrowns also avoids the risk of reaction to metal if your child has a metal allergy.
A white dental crown is placed in a procedure much like a traditional dental crown, and oftentimes, Spinnaker Pediatric Dental is able to place a white dental crown in one office visit. If your child is in need of a crown, our team will explain the benefits and come up with a treatment plan that is right for your child and the health of your child’s teeth.
Early prevention is the key to your child’s dental health.
Prevention is key when it comes to your child’s dental health, so it is important to bring your child in for a dental evaluation at least twice a year. Spinnaker Pediatric Dental recommends your child’s first dental visit happens before their first birthday, once a tooth has erupted.
Early dental intervention is key to help your child’s smile. Not only can early dental intervention find any hidden issues, like tooth decay and cavities, but with early prevention, your dentist can make sure your child’s adult teeth come in properly. At Spinnaker, we specialize in pediatric dentistry and use the most up-to-date dental methods in our practice to ensure your child is getting the best dental care in the Salem, Oregon area.
If your child shows any signs that they are in need of a crown, contact Spinnaker Pediatric Dental right away to schedule a dental evaluation with our talented staff.