Pediatric Dental Crowns
Protecting and restoring your child's smile when fillings aren't enough.
When a baby tooth is too damaged for a simple filling, a dental crown can save it! Crowns are protective caps that cover the entire tooth, restoring its strength, function, and appearance. We offer both natural-looking white zirconia crowns and durable stainless steel crowns—both are safe, effective, and designed specifically for children.
Think of a crown as a helmet for a damaged tooth—it protects it from further harm and lets it function normally until it's ready to fall out naturally.
Types of Pediatric Crowns
White Zirconia Crowns
Beautiful tooth-colored crowns made from strong ceramic material. Perfect for front teeth and highly visible areas. They look completely natural and blend seamlessly with your child's smile.
Best for: Front teeth, visible smile
Stainless Steel Crowns
Time-tested, incredibly durable crowns that have been used successfully for over 70 years. Ideal for back molars where strength is most important. They're affordable, strong, and highly effective.
Best for: Back molars, cost-effectiveness
Same-Day Treatment
Most crowns are completed in a single visit! We prepare the tooth, select and fit the crown, and cement it in place—all in one appointment. Your child leaves with a fully restored tooth.
Typical appointment: 45-90 minutes
When Does My Child Need a Crown?
We recommend crowns when a tooth is too damaged for a filling to be effective. Common situations include:
- Large cavities affecting more than half the tooth
- Fractured or broken teeth from falls or injuries
- After a pulpotomy (baby tooth "root canal")
- Severe tooth decay that has weakened the tooth structure
- Developmental defects in tooth enamel
- Teeth at high risk for future fractures
We always try to save baby teeth with fillings when possible. Crowns are recommended only when a filling wouldn't provide adequate protection.
Why Treat Baby Teeth?
"They're just going to fall out anyway, right?"
Baby teeth are critical! Here's why we treat them:
- Hold space for permanent teeth (prevent crowding)
- Enable proper chewing and nutrition
- Support speech development and pronunciation
- Prevent pain and infection
- Maintain jaw development and facial structure
- Build confidence with a healthy smile
Important: Losing a baby tooth too early can cause permanent teeth to come in crooked!
The Crown Process: What to Expect
Numbing & Comfort
We use local anesthesia to ensure your child feels no discomfort. For anxious children or extensive treatment, we offer sedation options including nitrous oxide and IV sedation.
Tooth Preparation
We carefully remove any decay and shape the tooth to fit the crown. If needed, we may perform a pulpotomy (removing infected pulp from the crown of the tooth) to eliminate pain and infection.
Crown Selection & Fitting
We select the appropriate crown type and size for your child's tooth. For visible teeth, we offer beautiful white zirconia crowns. For back molars, we typically use durable stainless steel crowns. The crown is carefully fitted and adjusted.
Cementation
Once the fit is perfect, we permanently cement the crown in place using special dental cement. The crown becomes a strong, protective covering for the damaged tooth.
Final Check & Instructions
We check your child's bite to ensure the crown is comfortable, and we provide aftercare instructions. Your child can eat normally once the numbness wears off!
Most crowns are completed in one appointment (45-60 minutes)
Caring for Your Child's Crown
Crowns are durable and designed to last until the baby tooth falls out naturally. With proper care, they function just like natural teeth.
Do's
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss around the crown daily
- Continue regular dental checkups every 6 months
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
- Treat the crown like a normal tooth
Don'ts
- Avoid extremely sticky foods (taffy, gummy candy)
- Don't chew ice or hard objects
- Avoid using teeth to open packages
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks
- Don't ignore any pain or sensitivity—call us!
When Will the Crown Come Out?
The crown stays on the baby tooth and falls out naturally when your child loses that tooth—just like a regular tooth would! This typically happens between ages 6-12, depending on which tooth it is. The crown has done its job protecting the tooth until the permanent tooth was ready to come in.
Common Questions About Pediatric Crowns
Do baby teeth really need crowns?
Yes! Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, enable proper chewing and speech, and support jaw development. When a baby tooth is too damaged for a filling, a crown protects it until it naturally falls out. Without treatment, the tooth could become infected or be lost prematurely, causing spacing problems.
Will the crown fall out with the baby tooth?
Yes, exactly! The crown stays on the baby tooth and falls out naturally when your child loses that tooth, just like a normal baby tooth would. The crown protects the tooth until it's ready to come out on its own.
Does getting a crown hurt?
No. We use local anesthesia to completely numb the area. For anxious children or extensive treatment, we offer sedation options including nitrous oxide and IV sedation to ensure complete comfort.
Restore Your Child's Tooth with a Protective Crown
Don't let a damaged tooth compromise your child's health or smile. Our pediatric crowns provide strong, long-lasting protection so your child can eat, speak, and smile with confidence.