Many balk when parents receive news that their child needs a pediatric crown. There’s a common belief that our primary or baby teeth are just temporary placeholders. While they are certainly temporary, they have an important role to play during their time with us. They ensure that there’s sufficient space for adult teeth to develop and erupt and that the jaw develops correctly. This avoids potential orthodontic treatments to correct malocclusion and misaligned teeth later in life. Preserving their primary teeth helps reduce the need for these treatments later in life.

How Your Adult Smile Relies On Your Primary Teeth

When your dentist approaches you with the need for pediatric crowns, a few decisions must be made. The first is the material that your dentist will use during the restoration procedure. Generally, children will have their teeth restored using one of two materials. The first is a silver amalgam that is sure to last but can be unsightly. The other is a dental compound that can mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Once this decision is made, it’s time to prepare for the procedure. The pediatric restoration procedure bears a great deal in common with the traditional adult version.

The following steps are involved in receiving a pediatric crown:

• Preparation: The tooth will be prepared to take the restorative crown during the initial stage. First, all the old decay has to be cleared away. Once this is done, the tooth needs to be shaped to take the new crown.
• Impressions: Following the preparation of the tooth, a dental impression will need to be taken. This impression will create a near-perfect recreation of the target tooth. This ensures that the dental lab will be able to create a crown that will perfectly fit this space.
• Temporary Crown: Before the dental lab receives the permanent crown, your dentist will put a temporary crown in place. Some dental offices are able to mill their own permanent restorations. If yours can, this stage will be skipped. If not, a temporary cement will be used to secure the temporary crown in place until the permanent restoration arrives.
• Apply Permanent Crown: Your dentist will secure it in place when the permanent crown becomes available. They will briefly reclean the tooth if a temporary crown is placed. This removes the temporary residual cement in preparation for the permanent cement that will hold the final restoration in place.

The use of a local anesthetic generally accompanies the initial stage of this procedure. This local anesthetic may also be applied when the temporary crown is removed.

Consult With Your Dentist For More Information

Every restoration process is unique to the case and the patient. Speaking with your dentist will help you understand what lies ahead for your child. It will also let you know how this procedure will benefit your child in the immediate future and in the long run. Reach out to your dentist for a consultation today.