Dental Crowns for Children
When a child’s tooth is too damaged for a filling but still has healthy structure worth saving, a dental crown provides the perfect solution. Crowns are protective caps that cover the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and function. Think of them as a helmet for a tooth, providing complete protection while allowing your child to eat, speak, and smile normally.
We offer two excellent crown options for children: durable stainless steel crowns for back teeth and aesthetic white crowns for front teeth or when appearance is a priority. Both options are safe, effective, and specifically designed for pediatric patients.
When Does My Child Need a Dental Crown?
Crowns are recommended when a tooth is too damaged for a filling to be effective but can still be saved. Common situations include:
- Large cavities that have destroyed significant tooth structure
- Teeth weakened by extensive decay that would likely break with a filling
- Fractured or broken teeth from trauma or injury
- Teeth that have had pulpotomy or root canal treatment (baby root canal)
- Severely worn teeth from grinding or acid erosion
- Teeth with developmental defects or hypoplasia (weak enamel)
- Protection for teeth in children at very high risk for decay
- Restoration of badly damaged baby teeth until they naturally fall out
Preserving baby teeth with crowns is important because they maintain space for permanent teeth, help with proper chewing and nutrition, assist in normal speech development, and contribute to your child’s self-confidence and appearance.
Types of Pediatric Dental Crowns
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns (SSC) are pre-formed metal crowns that have been the gold standard in pediatric dentistry for decades. They're extremely durable, cost-effective, and ideal for restoring back teeth where appearance is less important than function.
Benefits:
- Exceptionally strong and durable
- Last until the baby tooth naturally falls out
- Quick to place (usually in one visit)
- Most cost-effective crown option
- Proven track record of success
- Can withstand heavy chewing forces
- Requires minimal tooth reduction
- Covered by most dental insurance plans
Best For:
- Back teeth (molars) where they’re not visible
- Children who need extensive restoration
- When budget is a primary concern
- Active children who need maximum durability
Appearance:
Silver-colored metal that’s noticeable when your child opens their mouth wide. Most children and parents don’t mind the appearance on back teeth, and some kids think they look “cool” or like a superhero tooth!
White Crowns (Zirconia/Composite)
White crowns provide natural-looking, tooth-colored restoration options. We offer zirconia crowns (solid ceramic) and composite strip crowns, both of which blend beautifully with your child's natural teeth.
Benefits:
- Natural tooth color matches surrounding teeth
- Aesthetically pleasing, especially for front teeth
- Zirconia crowns are extremely strong and durable
- Biocompatible and safe
- Stain-resistant and maintain color over time
- Boost your child’s confidence
- Metal-free option
Best For:
- Front teeth where appearance matters most
- Children or parents concerned about aesthetics
- Visible teeth when smiling
- School-age children who are self-conscious
Types of White Crowns:
Zirconia Crowns: Pre-formed solid ceramic crowns that are incredibly strong, durable, and naturally white. Excellent for both front and back teeth.
Composite Strip Crowns: Custom-formed using tooth-colored composite resin. Typically used for front teeth. More technique-sensitive but provide beautiful natural results.
Stainless Steel vs. White Crowns: Comparison
| Factor | Stainless Steel Crowns | White Zirconia Crowns |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Silver/metallic | Natural tooth color |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Placement Time | 15-20 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Cost | Lower (typically $200-400) | Higher (typically $400-600) |
| Best Location | Back teeth (molars) | Any tooth, especially front |
| Insurance Coverage | Usually covered | May have limited coverage |
| Longevity | Until tooth falls out naturally | Until tooth falls out naturally |
For many families, the decision comes down to location and budget. Stainless steel crowns are excellent for back teeth where appearance doesn’t matter, while white crowns are ideal for front teeth or when aesthetic concerns are important.
Your Visit
The Crown Placement Procedure
Placing a crown typically takes 30-45 minutes and can often be completed in a single visit. Here’s what to expect:
1
Numbing
We apply topical anesthetic followed by a gentle injection to numb the area. Your child won't feel any pain during the procedure.
2
Tooth Preparation
We remove any decay and shape the tooth to accommodate the crown. For stainless steel crowns, minimal tooth reduction is needed. White crowns may require slightly more preparation.
3
Crown Selection and Sizing
We select the appropriate crown size from our inventory of pre-made crowns. The crown should fit snugly over the prepared tooth.
4
Fitting and Adjustments
We try the crown on the tooth and make any necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit, comfortable bite, and good contact with neighboring teeth.
5
Cementation
Once the fit is perfect, we permanently cement the crown in place using dental cement. The crown is now a protective covering for the tooth.
Your child can eat and drink normally once the numbness wears off, typically within 2-3 hours.
After Treatment
Will the Crown Fall Out?
When properly placed and cemented, crowns are very secure and should last until the baby tooth naturally falls out. Occasionally, a crown may become loose or fall off due to eating very sticky foods or trauma to the tooth. If this happens, save the crown and contact us immediately. We can often re-cement it the same day.
Caring for Your Child's Crown
Crowns require the same care as natural teeth. To keep them in good condition:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily around the crowned tooth
- Avoid very sticky or hard foods (caramels, taffy, hard candy, ice)
- Don't let your child use their teeth to open packages or crack nuts
- Maintain regular dental checkups so we can monitor the crown
- Contact us if the crown becomes loose or falls off
- Continue good dietary habits to protect other teeth
What Happens When the Baby Tooth Falls Out?
The crown will come out along with the baby tooth when it naturally loosens and falls out, just like any other baby tooth. The permanent tooth will erupt normally underneath. You don’t need to have the crown removed—nature takes care of it!
The primary goal of the crown was to protect the baby tooth and maintain space for the permanent tooth, and it will have fulfilled that purpose beautifully.
Why Not Just Extract the Tooth Instead?
You might wonder why we don’t simply remove a badly damaged baby tooth rather than crown it. Here’s why preservation is usually better:
Baby teeth act as natural space maintainers for permanent teeth. When a baby tooth is lost too early, neighboring teeth can drift into the space, causing crowding and orthodontic problems later. A crown allows the tooth to remain in place until it’s time for the permanent tooth to come in. Additionally, baby teeth help with proper chewing, speech development, and facial development. Extracting them prematurely can affect these important functions.
Of course, there are situations where extraction is the better option, and we’ll discuss all alternatives with you to determine the best treatment for your child’s specific situation.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Stainless steel crowns are typically covered by dental insurance as a standard restorative procedure, usually at 50-80% coverage. White crowns may have limited or no coverage depending on your plan, as they’re sometimes considered a cosmetic upgrade for back teeth (though they’re often covered for front teeth).
Our office will work with your insurance company to maximize your benefits and provide you with a clear cost estimate before beginning treatment. We also offer payment plans to make treatment affordable for your family.
Protect Your Child's Damaged Tooth
If your child has a damaged tooth that needs more than a filling, dental crowns provide an excellent solution. Schedule a consultation to discuss the best crown option for your child.