When you hear about dental crowns, you’re usually thinking about an adult dental crown that’s used after major dental work. But what if your pediatric dentist has recently informed you that your child needs a dental crown?
Dental crowns are used when a tooth needs more protection than a traditional filling can provide. For children, you may have heard of dental caps, but they are actually the same as dental crowns. There are different types of crowns for teeth, including crowns for front teeth versus molars and tooth-colored versus silver options.
At Otter Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Colorado Springs, CO, we help parents understand their options before treatment. Here’s what you should know about the different types of crowns for teeth, how they can protect your child’s smile, and how to choose the best option.
Why Would a Child Need a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that fits over your child’s tooth to protect it when a filling isn’t enough. Instead of repairing just one small part of the tooth, the crown covers the tooth to give it added strength and protection.
Your child may need a dental crown if:
They have a large cavity: If tooth decay has damaged too much of the tooth for a regular filling, a crown can cover and protect what remains.
The tooth is cracked or broken: A fall, sports injury, or other accident can damage a tooth enough that it needs a crown for protection.
A filling isn’t strong enough: A tooth with a large filling may be more likely to break, so a crown can provide additional support.
The tooth has had a root canal or pulp treatment: After treatment inside the tooth, a crown may be used to protect it and help prevent further damage.
The tooth did not develop normally: Some children have teeth with weak enamel or other developmental problems that make them more vulnerable to damage and decay.
The goal is to save and strengthen the tooth so your child can continue chewing and smiling comfortably.
What Are the Different Types of Crowns for Teeth?
There isn’t one crown that is best for every child. Pediatric dentists have several options, and different materials offer advantages depending on the tooth being treated. Understanding the types of teeth caps for kids can help you feel more comfortable if your dentist recommends one for your child.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns are one of the most common options for restoring heavily damaged primary molars. These crowns are preformed, meaning they come in avariety of ready-made sizes rather than being custom-made for each tooth. The dentist selects the size that best fits your child’s tooth, makes any necessary adjustments, and cements the crown into place. They’re particularly useful for back teeth because they’re durable and can withstand the pressure created by biting and chewing. Stainless steel crowns are highly durable and are typically designed to last until the baby tooth naturally falls out.
The biggest drawback for some parents is appearance. Stainless steel crowns are silver rather than tooth-colored, but their location on back teeth can make them less noticeable.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns provide full coverage while offering a more natural, tooth-colored appearance. They can be an option when parents want the durability of a crown without the metallic appearance of stainless steel. Like stainless steel crowns, zirconia crowns are also preformed and available in different ready-made sizes. The dentist selects the size that best fits your child’s tooth and prepares the tooth so the crown can fit securely. Zirconia crowns are durable and can generally protect a baby tooth until it is ready to fall out naturally.
Whether zirconia is appropriate will depend on the tooth, the amount of remaining tooth structure, and your child’s specific needs.
Resin or Strip Crowns
Resin or strip crowns are tooth-colored crowns most commonly used on a child’s front teeth. They are designed to blend in with the surrounding teeth, making them a good option when appearance is important. To create the crown, the dentist places tooth-colored material over the damaged tooth and shapes it to look like a natural tooth. Because these crowns are often used on front teeth, they can help restore both your child’s smile and the function of a damaged tooth. Resin or strip crowns can last for several years with proper care, although they may be more likely to chip or wear than stainless steel or zirconia crowns.
Parents may choose this type of crown because it blends in with the surrounding teeth, giving their child a more natural-looking smile.
Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns
A porcelain ceramic crown provides a natural-looking restoration that can closely resemble the appearance of a real tooth. While parents may be familiar with a porcelain teeth crown from adult dentistry, the crown materials commonly selected for children can differ depending on whether the dentist is treating a baby tooth or a permanent tooth. Porcelain and ceramic crowns may be considered for permanent teeth when appearance is especially important. Porcelain and ceramic crowns placed on permanent teeth can last many years with good oral hygiene, although their lifespan depends on your child’s habits, bite, and overall dental care.
Your pediatric dentist can determine whether this type of restoration or another tooth-colored option is appropriate based on your child’s age, tooth development, and treatment needs.
How Does a Dentist Choose Between Crown Types for Teeth?
With several different types of dental caps available for kids, parents aren’t expected to decide which material their child needs on their own. A pediatric dentist like Dr. Ken at Otter Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Colorado Springs evaluates the tooth and recommends an option based on your child’s needs.
Some of the biggest considerations include:
Baby or permanent tooth: A crown intended to protect a baby tooth until it naturally falls out has different long-term requirements than a crown placed on a permanent tooth.
Front or back tooth: Appearance may be a greater consideration for a highly visible front tooth, while durability for biting and chewing is particularly important for molars.
Extent of the damage: The amount of healthy tooth structure remaining can affect which restoration is appropriate.
Previous treatment: Teeth that have undergone a root canal or pulp treatment may require full coverage for additional protection.
Cavity risk: Children who are particularly susceptible to tooth decay may benefit from a restoration that provides greater coverage.
Your child’s individual needs: Age, cooperation during treatment, oral health, and other circumstances can influence the treatment recommendation.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) emphasizes that restorative decisions should consider the individual child and the tooth rather than relying on one treatment for every situation.
What Should Parents Expect After a Child Gets a Crown?
Your child’s mouth may feel different immediately after receiving a crown, but most children adjust to it. You will be provided instructions based on the type of crown and treatment performed. Good oral hygiene remains important even with a crown. Children should continue brushing twice a day and cleaning around the restored tooth as instructed. Regular dental checkups also allow the pediatric dentist to monitor the crown and surrounding teeth.
Remember that a crown repairs the damaged tooth but doesn’t eliminate the factors that caused decay in the first place. Preventive care, fluoride, healthy eating habits, and consistent brushing remain important after restorative treatment. Restorative treatment alone does not stop the underlying cavity disease process. Consistent preventive care is still necessary.
Find the Right Dental Crown for Children in Colorado Springs
Choosing among the types of crowns for teeth doesn’t have to be confusing. At Otter Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we provide personalized treatment plans for children who need dental crowns or dental caps in Colorado Springs, CO, and surrounding areas. Contact us today at 719-867-3191 or schedule an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns for Kids
Stainless steel, zirconia, and resin-based crowns are among the options used in pediatric dentistry. The appropriate crown depends on factors such as the tooth being restored, the extent of damage, appearance, durability, and the child’s individual treatment needs.
Yes. Stainless steel crowns have been safely used in pediatric dentistry for many years. They are a common option for children because they are strong, durable, and provide long-lasting protection for damaged teeth.
Yes. Tooth-colored options can include zirconia and resin-based restorations. The appropriate choice depends on the tooth and your child’s dental needs.
Porcelain and ceramic materials are commonly associated with permanent-tooth restorations. For children, the appropriate material depends on whether the tooth is primary or permanent, its location, the child’s dental development, and other clinical factors.
Not necessarily. Whether a dentist recommends restoring or extracting a baby tooth depends on factors such as the condition of the tooth, infection, restorability, and how long the tooth is expected to remain before naturally falling out. The treatment should be individualized to the child.
Yes. A crown placed on a baby tooth is attached to that tooth. When the tooth naturally becomes loose and falls out as the permanent tooth develops, the crown typically comes out with it.
