At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, we place a strong emphasis on preventative and restorative dentistry in addition to at-home oral hygiene education to help our young patients develop good oral health habits and achieve optimal oral health. Sometimes, however, tooth decay, illness, injuries, or other issues can arise that lead to a significantly compromised tooth. In these cases, a dental crown might be needed to save a patient's natural tooth.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a prosthetic dental restoration that is hollow on the inside and shaped like a tooth on the outside. Dental crowns are designed to fit over a patient's natural tooth, completely covering the entire portion of the tooth located above the gum line. A dental crown supports and seals off a compromised tooth to protect it from infection, decay, and extraction.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are most commonly made of tooth-colored porcelain, but they can be manufactured from a variety of different dental-grade materials including:
- Metal fused to tooth-colored porcelain
- Tooth-colored zirconia
- Tooth-colored composite resin
- Tooth-colored hybrid resin polymer
- Stainless steel
The type of dental crown that is best for your child depends on the location of the tooth and the severity of the dental problem at hand.
How Are Dental Crowns Used in Pediatric Dentistry?
In pediatric dentistry, dental crowns are used to prevent the need for extracting a compromised tooth. They are often required as a result of:
- Tooth decay A severely broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
- A tooth damaged from an injury
Dental crowns strengthen and protect the natural structure of the tooth.
Alternative Treatment Options: Does Your Child Need a Dental Crown?
Whether or not a dental crown is recommended for your child will depend on a variety of factors such as your child's stage of physical and psychological development, treatment needs, and medical history.
In some situations, a young patient might benefit from an alternative course of treatment. For example, if a patient’s permanent teeth have not yet emerged there is great benefit to try to save a damaged tooth with nerve treatment and a crown. If the permanent tooth is about to erupt, an extraction might be a better solution.
Our dentist will be sure to answer any questions you might have regarding your child's treatment and work with you to determine the best treatment plan to meet your child's needs while supporting good oral health.
Restorative Pediatric Dentistry with a Gentle Touch
At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to promote beautiful, healthy smiles for life by creating strong foundations of oral health within each of our patients. To facilitate a close collaboration between dentists and parents, Dr. Miller works closely with parents to help them understand their child's oral healthcare needs, treatment options, and possible treatment outcomes. We provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions about your child's dental care, and we deliver care to your child in a fun, welcoming, and stress-free environment to ensure positive dental care experiences and the development of healthy habits.
To learn more about pediatric dental crowns and alternative treatment options for your child, we welcome you to contact our Bellevue, Washington dental office to request a consultation for your child today.
We Can’t Wait to Meet You!
Call (425) 818-2722 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit!
