Crowns for Baby Teeth? When They Are Needed, and Why They Help Protect Your Child’s Smile

Does your child need a dental crown?

What do you do when your dentist suggests your child get a dental crown? Can a dental crown be used on baby teeth? Why doesn’t the dentist just pull the baby tooth, since an adult tooth will take its place, anyway? Sometimes, the answer isn’t that simple, other than your dentist feels that your child’s mouth would benefit from a dental crown.

At We Make Kids Smile, located in Waldorf and Prince Frederick, Maryland, our dental team is about doing what is best for your child’s oral health and development. Learn why our dental team may recommend a crown as an option to fix a problem with your child’s tooth.

When are dental crowns recommended?

First, you may be wondering what a dental crown is. A dental crown is a covering that goes over a tooth to help support its structure. Usually, a crown is placed over a tooth that has suffered structural damage due to cavity removal, root canal treatment, or on a tooth that has been cracked or damaged.

At We Make Kids Smile, we use stainless steel or zirconia crowns, depending on the type of crown needed and where it is in your child’s mouth. Dental crowns are used to help restore a tooth’s vitality, so your child can continue eating as normal and maintain a healthy mouth and smile.

Why not just pull the damaged or affected baby tooth?

If your dentist recommends a dental crown on a child’s baby tooth, you may be wondering why the dentist would choose not to pull the tooth. After all, it is a baby tooth, and not a permanent tooth.

While that seems like a logical point, there are many reasons your dentist may choose to not pull a damaged baby tooth. One of the main reasons is that a baby tooth is holding the space for an adult tooth to come in.

If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the other teeth in your child’s mouth can shift, leaving no space for the permanent tooth to come in. The permanent tooth can become impacted in your child’s jaw without space to erupt. Other dental procedures may be needed to free the tooth and shift your child’s other teeth back to their respective places.

Early baby tooth loss can also affect your child’s chewing and speech. Therefore, the team at We Make Kids Smile thoroughly evaluates your child’s mouth before we make a recommendation on whether a dental crown is needed or not.

What types of crowns are used for kids?

At We Make Kids Smile, we use two different types of material for crowns for kids: stainless steel and zirconia dental crowns. Stainless steel crowns are silver and are often used on back molars. We also use zirconia dental crowns, which are shaded to match the natural color of your child’s teeth. 

Zirconia dental crowns are used on visible areas of the mouth, so your child’s smile looks more natural. There’s not much difference between the two types of dental crowns; they are both durable and long-lasting with proper dental care.

What to Expect During Your Child’s Dental Visit

When it has been determined that your child needs a dental crown, you may be wondering what happens during the visit. Because of advances in technology, crowns are completed in just one visit to either our office in Prince Frederick or Waldorf. During the visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth needing the crown by removing all tooth decay and plaque. 

The dental crown itself is then shaped and placed over the tooth needing the crown, and cemented into place. Once the dentist is sure the dental crown is in place, your child is free to head home. The entire procedure is safe, kid-friendly, and gentle. Your child will be able to eat and drink as normal after the appointment.

Visit We Make Kids Smile For All Your Child’s Dental Needs

At We Make Kids Smile, we focus our practice on children and their dental needs. We specialize in pediatric dentistry. If your child has a damaged or decayed baby tooth, the We Make Kids Smile team is here to customize a treatment that fits your child’s needs. If a dental crown is needed, we’ll make sure the crown fits perfectly to help protect and preserve your child’s smile. Call us today to set up an appointment for your child if you notice they have dental issues.