CROWNS
A crown covers all of the visible part of the tooth
Most children will get a cavity at some point. If a cavity advances too far for a filling, or a tooth is otherwise damaged, the most effective restoration option is a dental crown. Crowns can be used on baby teeth or a child’s permanent teeth to restore not only appearance and function but also prevent further damage to the tooth.
A crown is essentially a tooth-shaped shell or cap that fits over the tooth to cover the damage to the tooth. A crown covers all of the visible part of the tooth above the gum line and it can last decades. Your affordable childrens dentist in Los Angeles offers several types of crowns to fit your budget and restore your child’s beautiful smile.
PEDIATRIC DENTAL CROWNS IN CULVER CITY, CA
When your pediatric dentist tells you that your child has a cavity and a filling won’t be enough, you may feel like you have failed and you may be concerned about the procedure itself. Don’t worry; many children need crowns to protect their teeth because primary teeth are more prone to decay than adult teeth. The best pediatric dentist in Los Angeles will also make your child’s experience as easy and stress-free as possible.
Your dentist will start by numbing the area to make the procedure completely painless. As a children’s specialty dentist, we offer several sedation dentistry options for your child’s comfort. Some children, especially those who need extensive work, do best under IV sedation which means they are asleep during the procedure. Others do fine with “laughing gas” or conscious sedation. Once the area is numb, your pediatric dentist will place a dental dam to isolate the tooth and protect your child’s gums. Decay will be carefully removed from the tooth and the tooth will be shaped to get it ready for a crown. The crown will be placed securely over the tooth and shaped to preserve your child’s bite.
TYPES OF PEDIATRIC CROWNS
Choosing The Right Type Of Crown For Your Child
STAINLESS STEEL CROWNS
A stainless steel crown is the most affordable option. These crowns in Los Angeles offer a lower cost but they are silver-colored and do not look like natural teeth. Your pediatric dentist will likely recommend stainless steel crowns only for teeth in the back of the mouth. Because they are affordable and strong, stainless steel crowns are often used to protect baby teeth before they fall out naturally.
TOOTH-COLORED CROWNS
An alternative to stainless steel is a crown that looks just like a natural tooth. This option is usually used for front-facing teeth and permanent teeth. There are a few types of tooth-colored crown materials such as all-porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and resin crowns. Resin crowns are the most affordable tooth-colored option but they wear down eventually. Porcelain-fused-to-metal looks just like your child’s natural tooth and lasts many years. Zirconia crowns are another option as they are similar to porcelain yet stain-resistant.
WHEN IS A CROWN NECESSARY?
A Crown Works To Restore The Tooth’s Shape
When your child has a cavity that is too large or deep to “fill” with a filling, your child will need a crown to protect the tooth. Large cavities compromise the tooth’s strength and allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause further decay. A crown works to restore the tooth’s shape and appearance while preventing any additional decay. A crown is also able to withstand the pressure of chewing on the back molars which a filling cannot do.
Even baby teeth are worth saving with a crown when possible. When a baby tooth is pulled prematurely, surrounding teeth may crowd the empty space. This leaves less room for a permanent tooth to erupt because baby teeth serve as placeholders for adult teeth. Primary teeth may also last for longer than you think: the molars in the back of the mouth, for example, are used mostly for chewing and don’t fall out until the age of 12.
Have any questions?
Please contact us or call (310) 391-8787 today.