When a Pediatric Dentist May Recommend a Stainless Steel Crown for a Baby Tooth

Our pediatric dentist might recommend a stainless steel crown for your child’s baby tooth if it has been severely damaged by decay. A baby tooth that is lost prematurely can lead to a range of issues, like the child’s permanent teeth being poorly aligned when they erupt. A stainless steel crown allows a pediatric dentist to save a tooth when it would have otherwise been lost.

Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons parents take their children to a dental clinic. Children are more susceptible to the condition since baby teeth have thinner enamel protecting them. Tooth decay is caused by acids made by bacteria in the mouth. These acids eat away at teeth structures, creating tiny holes caused by cavities. A cavity will continuously expand until it is treated or completely destroys a tooth.

Fluoride treatments can be used to reverse the first stage of tooth decay, and fillings can be used to close up cavities as they form. However, when left untreated for long enough, these treatments are no longer viable options.

How a pediatric dentist saves teeth with stainless steel crowns

A stainless steel crown is typically recommended for severe cases of tooth decay that involve a significant risk of the tooth breaking apart. The pediatric dentist might have to perform a root canal before covering up the tooth in such cases.

Root canals are performed to remove the contents of the pulp chamber if decay leaves the area compromised. The procedure involves drilling a hole into the tooth and extracting its nerve and blood vessels. The dentist administers local anesthesia for the procedure, so the child does not feel pain as they work. The tooth can then be capped with a crown to prevent it from breaking apart further.

In some cases, a pediatric dentist might have to build a child’s tooth up with filling before covering it up with a crown. It ultimately comes down to how badly damaged the tooth is.

What to expect when your child is getting a stainless steel crown

A stainless steel crown is a tooth-shaped cap that goes over the visible part of a tooth called the crown. They are used to protect baby teeth that have been damaged by decay or trauma. In addition, it helps to preserve the tooth until the proper time for it to fall out comes around.

The child is usually injected with a shot of a local anesthetic at the start of the treatment. The dentist might also explore sedation based on the child’s comfort level. Next, the dentist removes any decayed or damaged parts of the tooth before finally fitting the child for a crown.

Stainless steel crowns are typically prefabricated, so they come in a wide range of sizes. The pediatric dentist will find the right size that fits the child correctly and cement it to their tooth. The process is completed during a single dental visit.

Protect your child’s baby teeth

A stainless steel crown helps keep baby teeth intact until the proper time for them to fall out. Call or visit our Phoenix clinic to set up an appointment with our pediatric dentist if your child has one or more damaged or decayed teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://camelbackpedoortho.com or call Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (602) 595-3531 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Phoenix, AZ.

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