What Happens when a Child Needs a Crown?

If your child has severe decay of a tooth, even if it is a baby tooth, it may need a crown instead of a cavity. Placing a crown, or a tooth-shaped cap, on a baby tooth is a slightly different process than with an adult patient. Here’s what you can expect if your child needs this procedure.

Why Crowns Are Important

You may be thinking that adding a crown to a baby tooth is unnecessary. After all, the tooth will eventually fall out. However, if you don’t address the damage and decay, your child can suffer unwanted and unnecessary pain. The decay can also spread to nearby teeth. Removing the tooth too early can lead to shifting and space concerns for the remaining teeth. Sometimes, a crown is the best option.

How Crowns for Kids Work

Crowns for children work in the same way as crowns for adults. First, your child’s dentist in Oklahoma City, OK, will thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding gums. Then, the dentist will isolate the tooth using a dental dam and drill into the tooth to remove the decay. Finally, the crown is placed and adhered to the tooth. The goal is to restore the function of the tooth until it can fall out naturally when the adult tooth starts to grow in.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

While tooth decay can mean a child needs a crown, not all children will suffer from decay. You can help your child avoid tooth decay by asking your dentist in Oklahoma City, OK, about sealants. These thin coatings cover the surface of a tooth to prevent food from getting stuck, which can lead to decay.

Whether you’re hoping to avoid problems with proactive treatment or have a problem you need to address, you can count on Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry to help protect and restore your child’s teeth.