Dental crowns are nothing to be afraid of! It is more common for adults to have to get dental crowns, but that does not mean that children may not also need them. Our pediatric dentist in El Cajon wants to discuss what dental crowns are and why children may need them. At Children’s Braces and Dentistry, we provide dental crown services to our children and teen patients who may require this particular service to save their teeth.
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are “caps” that are placed over a tooth. These caps are tooth-shaped so that they fit the tooth snuggly. These caps are used over the original tooth so that it restores the tooth’s shape, size, appearance, and strength of the tooth. The dental crown has to be cemented into place so that it fully encases the entire tooth that can be visibly seen.
Why Would My Child Need a Dental Crown?
There are a few reasons that your child may need our pediatric dentist in El Cajon to provide dental crown services. It is not entirely uncommon that children or teens may need a dental crown. One of the biggest reasons dental crowns are necessary is because they are used to protect weak teeth. If a tooth has decayed from lack of brushing and flossing, the tooth could break or crack. This dental crown helps to protect the tooth from further decay.
Other reasons why dental crowns are needed are because a tooth that is broken or has been worn down needs to be restored. A tooth can be severely worn down after years of teeth grinding that has not been addressed (this is not very common in children but may happen in late teens). If a tooth has been neglected and has been severely damaged by decay and the tooth is not able to support a filling, then a dental crown is needed. Lastly, other reasons why dental crowns may be required include covering misshapen or discolored teeth, covering a dental implant, making a cosmetic modification, and holding a dental bridge in place. If you feel that you want your child to be looked at by our pediatric dentist in El Cajon, then please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
Keep Up With Daily Oral Hygiene
Keeping up with daily oral hygiene will help to prevent the need for dental crown work. We have to make sure that everyone in our households is taking the right steps so that they can all have healthy teeth and gums. Ideally, we want to see that our patients are brushing after every meal. However, as long as you are brushing in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, you are still keeping your mouth clean! Flossing also should be done every day right after or right before you brush your teeth.
Brushing and flossing daily help prevent plaque build-up and bacteria from growing in between your teeth and gums. If plaque and bacteria are left in between teeth and gums for too long, it can lead to cavities and tooth decay. In the case that these events happen, a dental crown may be needed.
Are There Different Types of Dental Crowns?
At Children’s Braces and Dentistry, our pediatric dentist in El Cajon can provide you with a few dental crown options.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel dental crowns have been in use with dentists for many years. Stainless steel dental crowns are commonly used for children. It covers the entire primary tooth so that it protects it from further decay. Once the primary tooth with the dental crown on it falls out, a new and healthy tooth will grow in its place. Once the adult tooth comes in, it is very important to make sure that the tooth remains healthy, so a permanent dental crown doesn’t have to be put in.
Resin Veneer Crowns: These dental crowns are durable, and they look like your teeth. They do cost more, however. These crowns are not the ideal choice for children who have yet to have their permanent teeth come in. For teens, this could be a potential option.
Ceramic or Porcelain: This type of crown is also more expensive and is not commonly used on children due to the price and the lack of adult teeth. As previously mentioned, this is a pricey option if the primary teeth are still waiting to fall out. Ceramic or porcelain does provide a more natural color match. This is an excellent option for those who may have metal allergies.
If you have more questions about Dental Crowns, give us a call at Children’s Braces and Dentistry in El Cajon! We are happy to help.
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FAQ
- What does a dental crown look like?
Dental crowns in El Cajon may look different because of the materials used to manufacture them and the shape of the tooth needing treatment. Remember that dental crowns must fit a damaged tooth, and it shouldn't grind other teeth.
- How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns in El Cajon are not supposed to be removable or replaced. A pediatric dentist installs permanent dental crowns. If a dental crown is installed over a primary tooth, it will fall out when the tooth does.
- What are the advantages of wearing dental crowns?
A patient wearing dental crowns in El Cajon has additional protection for worn-out teeth. Dental crowns will help prevent additional decay, and they will also offer a great deal of protection to cracked teeth at the danger of further trauma.
- Why do pediatric dentists recommend dental crowns?
A patient will need dental crowns in El Cajon if a tooth has suffered considerable trauma from playing sports or an accident and is now cracked, or if the tooth has decayed due to incorrect oral hygiene habits. Other reasons include cosmetic modifications, covering dental implants, or holding dental bridges in place.
- What are the types of dental crowns?
Dental crowns in El Cajon are classified by the materials used to manufacture them. They are all designed to be permanent, but the materials can be different. Stainless steel, resin, or ceramic are all options available to the patient and the main difference between them is cosmetics, though some patients may have allergies to some materials and thus prefer one option over another.