Pediatric Crowns

Protecting a tooth in danger of injury or decay is essential for your child’s oral health. Nobody understands that sentiment better than the pediatric dentists at Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, in Woodbridge, Virginia. The pediatric specialists offer zirconia and stainless steel crowns for children to protect and restore the shape and size of damaged teeth. To learn more, call Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, or schedule an appointment online today.

What are pediatric crowns?

A crown is a custom-made cap shaped like a tooth. They fit over the visible portion of damaged or decayed teeth to restore their shape and size. A crown also protects vulnerable teeth from additional damage by providing a durable barrier that blocks debris and bacteria.

Pediatric crowns restore and protect baby teeth. While baby teeth are temporary, losing one too early can threaten your child’s oral health. It may also cause their adult tooth to emerge crooked. Placing a pediatric crown helps stabilize the tooth and directs the incoming permanent tooth into the correct position.

What are the types of pediatric crowns?

Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, offers two types of pediatric crowns for children:

Stainless steel

Stainless steel crowns are durable and biocompatible restorations that restore the shape and size of your child’s tooth. In most cases, a stainless steel crown protects your child’s tooth until it comes out naturally. Another benefit of stainless steel crowns is that most insurance providers offer full or partial coverage for them.

Zirconia

Zirconia crowns, or tooth colored crowns, are also durable, but they are more aesthetically pleasing than stainless steel. However, they also take longer to place and may not be ideal for children who can’t sit still for long periods.  They are also not ideal for teeth that have extensive decay below the gumline. Some insurance providers classify zirconia crowns as cosmetic treatments and may not provide coverage for them. Please contact our office to see if your child is a candidate for a zirconia crown. 

Why does my child need pediatric crowns?

Your child’s dentist may recommend a pediatric crown to:

• Protect a tooth after nerve treatment
• Cover a tooth with a large area of decay
• Restore the shape and size of a fractured tooth
• Cover a vulnerable tooth in danger of decay or damage

Crowns are stronger and longer-lasting than most filling materials. After a careful assessment, the team can determine if a pediatric crown is right for your child. 

How are pediatric crowns placed?

Since pediatric crowns protect baby teeth, your child won’t need one for as long as an adult would. As a result, the team can place a pediatric crown in one visit, rather than the multiple appointments it takes to set an adult crown. 

The team first numbs your child’s tooth, then removes any decay. Finally, the team places the crown and makes any necessary adjustments to cement it in place. Compared to placing an adult crown, the process is relatively quick.

To learn more about pediatric crowns, call Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, or schedule an appointment online today.