Do They Make Dental Crowns Just for Kids?

Kids’ dental crowns protect fragile teeth and enhance youthful smiles.

Two common dental problems in kids are damage from tooth decay or a dental injury, such as a chipped or cracked tooth. Both of these problems can be troubling for parents, but thanks to dental crowns, tooth damage is only a temporary obstacle on your child’s journey to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Let’s learn more about why dental crowns are beneficial for kids and why we use special kids-only dental crowns.

Dental crowns for kids can stop the early loss of primary teeth.

Did you know that losing baby (primary) teeth too soon can spell trouble in the future? Although your child’s primary teeth are only temporary, they are equally as important as adult teeth. From chewing to speaking, healthy primary teeth aid in everything from nutrient absorption to learning how to speak and sound out words properly. Even more crucial is their impact on how your child’s adult teeth will erupt.

When a child loses a primary tooth too early it can cause complications once the adult tooth begins to erupt. The risks of a crooked or otherwise misaligned tooth are much higher in these cases.

For these reasons, your child’s pediatric dentist may recommend saving a damaged or decayed primary tooth, especially if your child’s adult tooth is some time away from erupting naturally. Once the problem tooth is treated and covered with a dental crown, your child can continue growing and playing until the tooth naturally sheds.

Kids’ crowns save secondary teeth from extraction.

The early loss of a primary tooth can be problematic, but the potential loss of a secondary (adult) tooth is an even more serious situation.

Every tooth serves an important role in your child’s smile, both in terms of function and appearance. The loss of a secondary tooth can negatively impact your child’s ability to chew, their speech, and even lead to crooked or gapped teeth that may need orthodontic intervention.

Your child’s anterior teeth—the front, most easily visible teeth—can cause their smile to look dramatically different if a tooth is missing. Even the loss of a molar should be avoided, though it may not be as much of a cosmetic concern.

Your child’s pediatric dentist will evaluate your child’s damaged tooth, and if deemed salvageable, extraction can be avoided through the placement of a dental crown.

Crowns also cover up cosmetic flaws in kids’ smiles.

Sometimes a child’s tooth may be permanently discolored. This can happen after heavy impact causing injury to a tooth, but more common is a condition called enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia can cause patches of white, brown, or yellowish discoloration on secondary teeth. Many parents notice these fairly soon after their child’s new adult tooth has erupted.

If you notice odd discoloration on your child’s teeth, bring it up at their next appointment. Their pediatric dentist will be able to determine the underlying cause and you can discuss dental crowns as a cosmetic solution. For secondary teeth, covering the discolored tooth with a beautiful new crown is certainly worth the investment.

Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry offers specialty crowns made just for kids.

While other dental practices may use traditional ceramic or porcelain crowns for young patients, the Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry team takes an even better approach.

Our pediatric dentists use EZCrowns by Sprig, a specialty zirconia dental crown that’s specifically designed for kids. Zirconia is a superior material for dental crowns and ideal for kids as it’s exceptionally durable as well as beautiful. Our EZCrowns fit kids’ primary and secondary teeth like a glove and provide years of protection.

At a patient level, getting an EZCrown is a much easier and faster process for kids compared to other crown options. Because EZCrowns are shaped, sized, and pre-prepped for kids, pediatric dentists are able to prep teeth and place crowns in less time.

Additionally, both of our dentists have also gone through extensive training on placing EZcrowns. Dr. Cooper is even an instructor for other pediatric dentists who are learning the EZCrown technique!

Learn more about our dental crowns for kids by booking a visit with our team.

You can learn more about our zirconia EZCrowns for kids by coming in for a visit with your child. One of our dentists will take a look at your child’s smile, discuss the benefits of our unique kids-only dental crowns, and create a custom treatment plan to get your child back to optimal oral health.

Book your child’s appointment today by calling our Salem office or filling out this online form.