Children’s Dental Crowns in Olympia, WA

Despite our teeth being very strong, they are still susceptible to damage such as cavities, cracks, or chips. In cases where the damage is too severe for a filling to adequately repair, our dentists will frequently suggest a dental crown. If your child is experiencing dental pain, it may be due to food stuck between the teeth or a cavity. To address a toothache, start by flossing between your child’s teeth and rinsing their mouth with water to remove any debris. Should the pain continue, a visit to the dentist is necessary.

We use X-rays, intraoral photos, and visual examination to find the extent of a cavity, deep chip, or crack. Armed with this information, our children’s dentist in Olympia will explain to you and your child what we’ve found. We can show you the x-rays and intraoral photos so that you fully understand the dentist’s diagnosis, as well as the treatment recommendation.

If your child needs a crown, don’t delay treatment, even for baby teeth. The problem will only worsen, leading to more painful toothaches and more significant damage to the affected tooth and surrounding structures.

DID YOU KNOW?

Statistics show that almost 60% of kids in America have one or more cavities by the age of five years.

What is a dental crown?

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped coverings, or caps, that reinforce a tooth on all sides above the gum line. The crowns we most often recommend for baby teeth are stainless steel or composite strips. Stainless steel crowns can be placed in one visit. Composite strip crowns (for front teeth) are also placed in one visit, but they require more time, as well as more skill. We often administer general anesthesia to keep your child comfy while our dentist administers composite strip crowns. Sedation will be administered by a certified provider.

To repair permanent front teeth, we can use porcelain or ceramic tooth-colored crowns. Permanent molars usually need a metal or cubic zirconia crown for better durability.

If you’re uncertain of whether your child needs a crown on a baby tooth, consider this:

• A dental crown will protect the whole tooth from decay.
• Crowns can prevent pain and loss of teeth
• Crowns assist in correcting jawbone and muscle development.
• Crowns restore teeth, which aids in speech development.
• Crowns provide the proper shape and size to a damaged tooth, and this contributes to the correct development of permanent teeth.

Types of Crowns for Kids and Teens

Dental crowns come in many types. Here are just a few available options:

Stainless Steel Crowns

To repair primary molars (back baby teeth), our children’s dentist commonly uses silver-colored stainless steel. We place these crowns in a single visit, and they provide durability for years.

Porcelain Crowns (PFMs)

To maintain the all-white beauty of your child’s smile, the dentist may suggest a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown to repair damage to a front tooth. These crowns consist of a metal underlayment covered with tooth-colored porcelain. We shade-match the porcelain to blend with neighboring teeth for a seamless appearance.

Composite Strip Crowns

For the most natural-looking restoration of front baby teeth, our dentist might suggest a composite strip crown. These resin-based crowns are custom-shaded to blend with surrounding teeth. Placement of composite strip crowns is a complex and rather lengthy procedure, so we usually administer general anesthesia to keep the child comfortable.

Zirconia Crowns

You may have heard of zirconia. It is the synthetic mineral used to create natural-looking, man-made diamonds. In dentistry, we use this extremely durable material for white crowns on molars. Zirconia crowns provide a strong, reliable, and long-lasting restoration that keeps a smile white and beautiful.

Restore Your Child’s Smile with Dental Crowns

We’ll partner with you to help your child reduce the risk of cavities, chips, cracks, gum disease, and other oral health problems. By equipping parents and kids with information about how to properly brush and floss, we can help you help your children enjoy great oral health throughout childhood.

Contact Harbor Kids Dental today to schedule an exam, checkup, cleaning, or orthodontic consultation in Olympia.