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Dental crowns aren’t just for adults—they can also be valuable for children’s dental care. Dr. Christopher Groat often recommends crowns when a tooth is too severely damaged for a filling. At Groat Pediatric Dentistry, we know nothing better than preserving your child’s natural teeth, so we use crowns as a protective measure to strengthen and save teeth whenever possible.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped dental appliance worn over the existing tooth to enhance its appearance and function. Dr. Groat recommends dental crowns for extensively damaged teeth. Here’s what you need to know about pediatric dental crowns.
1. Restorative treatment: A damaged or decayed tooth can compromise the ability to eat and talk without pain. Dental crowns restore your child’s tooth to its prime state. The dentist recommends dental crowns to rebuild severely damaged teeth. A dental crown encapsulates the remaining structure to repair the tooth and prevent further damage.
2. Comfortable procedure: Placing a dental crown is more complex than placing a filling, but we’ll ensure your child is comfortable. Before treatment, the dentist numbs your child’s mouth with effective local anesthetics. However, we offer safe and comfortable sedation options if your child is anxious or can’t stay still in the dental chair.
3. Dental crowns are for baby teeth, too: Dental crowns aren’t just for permanent teeth. We can place them on baby teeth. Why? You may ask. Baby teeth are designed to fall out to pave the way for permanent teeth. However, when your child loses these deciduous teeth too early, it can create dental issues. Losing baby teeth prematurely can disrupt the normal eruption of adult teeth. Baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth. When your child loses baby teeth too soon to decay, or damage, neighboring teeth may shift into the space, causing crowding or misalignment of incoming adult teeth. Dental crowns prevent this premature tooth loss until adult teeth come in.
4. Different crown types: Dental crowns come in several sizes and shapes. The choice depends on the tooth location and patient preferences. Pediatric crowns can be made from stainless steel or a white porcelain-like material called zirconia. Our dental team will help you determine the best crown type for your child’s oral health needs.
Groat Pediatric Dentistry offers dental crown treatment to patients with one or more damaged teeth. Call (310) 832-5133 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Groat if you suspect your child needs a dental crown. We can’t wait to help your child maintain a healthy smile.Â