Want to know whether a baby dental crown is necessary to improve your child’s oral health? Read on to learn more. A baby dental crown is often placed by a pediatric dentist, as they are specifically trained in treating children. Choosing a pediatric dentist helps parents understand what type of treatments their child needs to support healthy gums and healthy teeth.
There are multiple benefits that come with choosing a pediatric dentist, including that they have good behavior management skills, they use special dental equipment to treat children, and they focus on taking a preventative approach. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should first see a dentist before their first birthday.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions parents have about baby dental crowns:
There are a few different dental crown options for children available these days. This makes it necessary for parents to understand more about these options in order to make a good crown choice for their child. Crown types include metal crowns, stainless steel crowns, ceramic crowns, and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Some crowns are more suitable for the front teeth, like ceramic crowns, while other crown types are more appropriate for the back teeth, like metal crowns.
Placing a dental crown typically requires children to undergo one or two treatment appointments. The entire placement process often takes somewhere between 30 minutes and one hour to complete. Once the placement process is over, parents will be given information on aftercare. These aftercare instructions need to be closely followed in order for the crowns to work as they are supposed to.
No. Children are given either a local anesthetic (and sedation if necessary and available) before the crown placement procedure, which means they will not experience any pain during placement. They will experience some discomfort and/or tooth sensitivity for up to 48 hours after the crown has been placed. The fact that many children will experience some degree of fear or anxiety is a reason to make sure they are being treated by a dentist who knows how to deal with children.
A baby dental crown is often the recommended treatment option for a variety of concerns, including many instances of dental trauma. However, there are other options that may be appropriate, as well. Here is a closer look at common pediatric dentistry options that are similar to baby dental crowns.
A dental filling is primarily used for cavities. They are minimally invasive and should last until the baby tooth falls out naturally. However, they are not as ideal for chips, cracks, and other forms of trauma.
Dental bonding may be a viable alternative to a dental crown, as well. This restorative dentistry solution is also minimally invasive and is used for a similar purpose as a baby dental crown. The bonding material is coated onto a damaged tooth for protection.
A baby root canal may be recommended if there is more severe damage or decay to a tooth, especially if the damage extends toward the tooth’s root. A baby dental crown may be placed after a baby tooth root canal.
Inlays and onlays are perhaps the most similar to a baby dental crown. However, rather than encapsulating the entire tooth, they only cover the damaged portion of the tooth. It is important to note, however, that these types of restorations are typically not recommended for severe damage that extends beyond the biting surface of the tooth in question.
Dental sealants are more preventive than restorative. They are plastic coatings that are sealed over the chewing surface of molars.
Fluoride may be used to strengthen weakened enamel that has not yet eroded. They are not an option for repairing cavities or dental trauma.
Some children will need to undergo this type of treatment in order to improve their dental health. Since choosing a pediatric dentist comes with many benefits, many parents are deciding to take their children to see this type of dental professional for all their oral health needs.
Request an appointment here: https://nettsmiles.com or call Nett Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (623) 759-7658 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
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