If one of your child’s baby teeth is suffering from severe tooth decay, a dental crown may be required to keep it safe until it’s ready to fall out naturally. Traditionally, baby teeth are repaired with silver-colored metal crowns that tend to stand out for the wrong reasons. Fortunately, that’s not your only option anymore! Nowadays, it’s possible to restore your little one’s tooth with a natural-looking zirconia crown.
Why Your Child Might Need a Dental Crown for Their Baby Teeth
The baby teeth tend to have thinner enamel than permanent teeth. Consequently, they tend to be more susceptible to decay. As a result, it’s sadly not uncommon for younger children to suffer from large cavities or multiple cavities. A dental crown is often the best way to repair an extensively decayed baby tooth while also protecting it from further harm.
Why Get a Zirconia Crown for Your Child?
The most obvious benefit of getting a zirconia crown for your child is its natural appearance. A silver crown is all too noticeable, but zirconia crowns can be expertly shaded to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your child’s smile. The average person meeting your little one for the first time likely won’t even realize that they have a dental crown. This can go a long way toward helping your child feel more confident about their appearance.
Zirconia crowns are also notable for their strength and durability. They tend to be very resistant to chipping and cracking; this makes them a good option for repairing any of your child’s teeth, including the molars that play a major role in chewing. Furthermore, a zirconia crown can last for many years with the right care, so it’s unlikely to need to be replaced before your child’s baby tooth falls out.
What is the Process of Getting a Zirconia Dental Crown?
The process of placing a zirconia dental crown usually requires at least two appointments. At the first appointment, the decayed parts of the tooth are removed, and the necessary impressions are taken. A temporary crown is then placed to keep your child’s tooth safe while the permanent version is being made.
Once the final restoration is ready, you’ll bring your child back to their pediatric dentist’s office. During this visit, the temporary crown is replaced with the permanent one. Last-minute adjustments may be made to ensure that your child’s new crown fits as well as it should.
Thanks to modern dentistry, there’s no need to settle for a metal crown to repair your child’s decayed tooth. With a zirconia crown, your pediatric dentist can expertly restore the health of your child’s smile without compromising its appearance.
About the Author
Dr. Ben Baghai has been taking care of children’s smiles as a pediatric dentist for more than two decades. He earned his dental degree at the University of Tennessee at Memphis, and he belongs to the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry as well as other organizations. He is the proud founder of the Baby PRL method, which involves repairing decayed baby teeth with natural-looking zirconia crowns. If you think your child might have a cavity, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Ben at Garland Pediatric Dentistry by visiting his website or calling (972) 674-9966.