Restorative Dental Care

Dental crowns are restorations, typically made from porcelain, that are meant to restore the function, feel, and appearance of the top portion of the tooth, called the crown. Given that crowns are most commonly used to restore decay that can occur with aging, parents often ask why crowns would become necessary in pediatric cases. Dental crowns are used in pediatric dentistry when there is excessive decay in the baby teeth, or primary teeth, or a baby tooth has not erupted as the surrounding teeth have. Crowns may become necessary when a child is experiencing severe decay, cavities, and other deterioration of the tooth structure. Crowns are stronger and can last longer than dental fillings in children, but both will fall out when the child loses the tooth. Other reasons why a child may require a dental crown can include decayed teeth, and the fact that the tooth enamel of baby teeth is not as strong as that of adult teeth, therefore infection and decay can spread from tooth to tooth easily. Another reason that dental crowns may become necessary is to assist with the size and shape of an underdeveloped baby tooth, speech and bite development, or to protect teeth from further decay. 

The crowns process begins with a consultation with our team, or a routine exam or hygiene appointment, where our team would identify the specific oral health concern that would require the use of crowns to correct. We would then schedule a treatment appointment that would be used to place the crown, which can usually be completed in a single visit. Our team would begin with a numbing agent in the surrounding tooth and gum area that will help your child remain comfortable while the crown is placed. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas may be used to achieve further relaxation as some children experience more anxiety than others during dental appointments. Our team may also give your child medicine through a syrup or other ingestible agents. Our team may also use intravenous injection or another sedation agent depending on the exact level of comfort that your child requires. We then place a dental dam over the tooth that will be treated, which provides our team many advantages such as carefully isolating the tooth from the surrounding area and controlling the collection of moisture around the tooth. Then, any visible plaque is removed from the tooth and the surrounding area, and the crown is then placed. Some crowns are fitted and adjusted after being placed, so in these cases, our team will remove any excessive crown material and polish the crown once in its final shape. 

After a crowns procedure, children may feel some discomfort or slight pain for up to a full day after their procedure. This discomfort is the response of the tooth’s inner material to the new restoration, and can typically be alleviated with ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain medications for kids. If your child’s mouth was numbed during their crowns placement, advise them not to chew or bite this numbed portion of their mouth or tongue as some children will do.

After crowns are placed, your child may communicate that their bite feels “off” or “doesn’t feel right,” in which case their crown may need further adjusting to achieve a perfect bite. While living with crowns, your child should avoid particularly hard foods to avoid any chipping, and should also avoid sugary foods and beverages, which are both positive dietary steps to take whether you’re a crowns patients or not! Avoid sugary drinks and foods helps to avoid decay and promotes healthy tooth and smile development.

Want to learn more about dental crowns for kids? Speak with our team at Children’s Dentistry of Atlanta to learn if crowns may be the the right dental solution for your child!