Is it Reasonable to Put a Crown on a Baby Tooth?

Some parents wonder if it's reasonable to place dental crowns on their baby teeth. However, it's important to remember that baby teeth are placeholders for permanent teeth, so keeping them in healthy condition is important. Plus, if a child develops a severe cavity in a baby tooth that will likely need extraction anyway, it's better to have the tooth replaced by a crown than to risk infection or abscess forming in the empty space.

What Are Pediatric Dental Crowns?

Baby teeth aren't as strong as adult teeth and may be more susceptible to decay. Some parents wonder if it's necessary to restore baby teeth with crowns. A crown is a cap-like restoration that is placed on top of a tooth in order to protect it, improve its appearance, and even fortify it against further damage. While dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials, most crowns for baby teeth are made of either stainless steel or zirconia. Stainless steel is very strong and resistant to corrosion. Zirconia does have some limitations when it comes to strength; however, it is stain-resistant and looks incredibly natural.

Crowning a Baby Tooth

If a baby tooth has sustained damage due to decay, for example, a cavity that has reached the pulp of the tooth, placing a stainless steel crown over the tooth will protect it from further harm while also preventing bacteria from reaching the area. When placed by a skilled dentist, both of these types of crowns can look entirely natural when a child smiles. However, a zirconia crown may be a better choice if aesthetics are important to your child. Ultimately, the material used will depend on the location of the tooth as well as the severity of the damage and any aesthetic preferences of the patient or their parent(s).

Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they play an important role in guiding the growth of permanent teeth. If a tooth is lost too early due to decay or injury, it can negatively impact the surrounding teeth as they shift into the space left behind by the lost tooth. A crown can preserve the space for future permanent teeth and help prevent problems down the road.

Aurora Children's Dentistry, located in Anchorage, AK, offers the best dental care services to patients with the help of modern technologies and expert dentists. Dial (907) 336-1234 and schedule an appointment with our dentist to learn more about dental care services and receive a complete dental checkup.