shirley dental crown

When a filling simply isn’t enough to treat an advanced cavity or an injured tooth, then your child may require a full dental restoration. With a crown, we can restore function, health, and sometimes the appearance of a tooth too! In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist talks about how we place crowns on little smiles.

When Children Need a Dental Restoration

A dental crown is a full restoration that caps the tooth and fits over the entire visible portion of it. Our team can use them to address cases of tooth decay too severe for a filling to treat, or to tackle chipped or cracked teeth. Placement could also help improve overall bite balance and chewing function for kids too. Without treatment, these scenarios could increase the risk of decay and infection, and risk the stability of the teeth. Premature loss of baby teeth could increase the risk of dental misalignment! Which is why addressing decay or infection is so vital.

Creating and Placing a Crown

To begin, our team will numb the tooth being treated so we can remove decay and a small section of outer structure to make room for the finished restoration. We will use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to take detailed images of the teeth and use them in a lab setting to design and craft the finished product. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, every restoration is custom-made for your child. When the restoration is ready, we will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments. Finally, we attach the finished crown with a powerful bonding agent. With proper care and attention, this can stay in place for years to come. While the side and rear teeth may need stainless steel, we can often use options like zirconia for the front facing teeth, which are more lifelike in appearance.

Protecting Their Smiles

Following placement, you can take steps to help prevent the need for future restorations. A good diet low in sugar and starch, combined with daily brushing and flossing can help limit the risk of tooth decay and dental infection. We can also create a custom athletic mouthguard for kids who play full contact sports to limit the risk of cracked or chipped teeth. These actions can safeguard your repaired teeth and your natural ones too. If you have any questions about how our team will design and craft a custom crown to restore your little one’s smile, then contact our team today to learn more. We’re ready to help your child enjoy a beautiful and bright smile for years to come.

Does Your Child Require Dental Treatment?

If your child complains of an aching tooth or has damaged one, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with our team, call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatrics in Shirley, NY, at 631.399.1600.