Why Are Dental Crowns Sometimes Necessary for Children? 

Sometimes dental crowns become necessary to preserve the oral health of your child.  At Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry, we invest in the latest technology to provide cutting edge, quality care. NuSmile signature dental crowns are our restoration of choice for primary teeth affected by early childhood caries. They give your child a healthy, natural smile. Learn why a dental crown is a tool your child’s smile may need now or in the future. 

Dental Crowns and Kids: Why Are They Needed?

While it may seem like baby teeth are unnecessary since permanent teeth come after they fall out, baby teeth do serve an important role.  They are not only placeholders for permanent teeth, but they also aid in digestion, speech development, and help children feel more confident sharing their smiles. 

A child’s baby teeth are meant to last anywhere from five to nine years. Most children get their first tooth between six and 12 months of age. And, will have their full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of three.  So, while your child will start losing some baby teeth around age five or six, he won’t lose his baby molars until he’s between 10 and 12 years of age.

When baby teeth are severely damaged by decay, or injury, sometimes fillings are not an option. To protect the adjacent teeth, and the health of the child, a dental crown will be used. 

Not All Dental Crowns Are Equal

NuSmile Crowns offer our patients a metal-free option made from an advanced bioceramic material. These all-white crowns offer little smiles the durability of the NuSmile Crown product with the beauty of the white ceramic.

NuSmile crowns restore children’s smiles, self-esteem and oral health with strength and biocompatibility. This type of crown is made out of a specialized type of advanced bioceramic material called Zirconia. Their amazing strength means they can last until permanent teeth erupt. They also almost never chip or crack, don’t’ discolor or wear down like some traditional crowns.

NuSmile, zirconia crowns make it virtually impossible to tell the difference between a natural tooth and a crowned tooth.

What to Expect at a Dental Crown Appointment

The process of delivering a dental crown has four parts: tooth preparation; impressions; temporary crown; and application of the permanent crown. 

First, we prepare the tooth. During this stage of the dental crown appointment, Dr. Botero will shape the damaged tooth so that the surface is ready to accept the crown correctly. Secondly, impressions of the tooth are taken by applying a dental putty in the mouth or by use of a digital scanner.  This impression is an essential tool to ensure that the crown fits the tooth shape exactly. Next, a temporary crown will be applied to protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is fabricated in the lab. Finally, when the permanent crown is completed, you will be called into the office to have the permanent crown placed. A local anesthetic will be applied to numb the tooth and gum tissue near it. This will keep the treatment pain-free so your child can be more relaxed. 

Preventing the Spread of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Dental crowns stop the spread of tooth decay to neighboring teeth. Also, they help the tooth retain strength so it doesn’t have to be pulled. Dental crowns cap the damaged tooth and completely cover and hold together all of the tooth’s natural structure.  By stopping the damage in its tracks, a dental crown can help you protect and preserve the healthy, natural tooth structure that remains.

Call for a Dental Crown Consultation

Li’l Sunshine Smiles offers patients the best dental crowns on the market. NuSmile ZR is the next generation in pediatric restorative technology.  They are both beautiful and functional. Zirconia ceramic, keeps your smile looking natural while offering durability and easy placement. Call Li’l Sunshine Smiles to schedule a NuSmile Crowns consultation today at 813-576-0200.