Looking at your child’s beautiful smile is one of the most joyous things in life. Baby teeth help your child to chew, speak, and play an important role in your child’s sensory input, which allows them to be more aware of their surrounding world. Any damage to the baby teeth needs the added support and protection that a dental crown can offer. A dental crown or cover is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible part of the teeth above the gum line. In case your child has a permanent tooth that has become weakened, cracked, or broken, a crown is used to restore strength, and functionality to a tooth, and to improve its appearance. Crowns are durable and usually last for 10 years for a baby tooth upto 20 years for a grown up tooth before needing repair or replacement.
5 signs your child may need them
- Dental Cavities:
Cavities, also called tooth decay, are permanently damaged areas in the enamel or dentin (hard, visible, outer layer of the tooth) of your child’s teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar, starchy foods and drinks and convert these carbohydrates into acids. These acids combine with food and saliva to form a sticky substance called plaque – which coats the teeth and brings the acid into contact with the teeth. Over time the acid erodes the teeth’s enamel and forms cavities. To repair the holes and restore the structure, a dental crown is placed on your child’s affected teeth as well as any weak tooth structure to prevent further damage. Ensuring your child follows a proper oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing and flossing, and visiting your pediatric dentists once every six months can prevent and get rid of plaque that causes cavities.
- Enamel Erosion:
Unlike bacteria that cause tooth decay, dental erosion is caused by acidic drinks such as carbonated drinks or acid reflux that brings stomach acid up into the mouth. In this case, the acid dissolves away part of the enamel surface of the teeth. Tooth enamel dissolves progressively, exposing the dentin (yellow-coloured layer under the surface). Dental erosion can lead to the loss of tooth structure if left untreated. In this case, your pediatric dentist will recommend placing a dental crown on your child’s eroded tooth to serve the purposes of the lost enamel and protect the layers under it as it can get decayed very fast .
- Chipped or cracked tooth:
Teeth can chip for any number of reasons. From a forceful blow to biting hard substances, chipping of the tooth can result in a jagged tooth surface and an uneven rough edge. A moderate chip can be repaired using bonding materials, while for a severe chip that has caused a large piece of tooth to break, your dentist will cover the remaining part using a crown to restore the structure. When cracks form on teeth, starting from the gum line, they make the teeth susceptible to infection. Placing a crown on your child’s teeth keeps them safe and also ensures that they are supported.
- Fracture or injury to the tooth
One of the most common ways that teeth get fractured is by facial injuries as a result of an accidental fall, or blunt force from contact sports, to name a few. Facial injuries require immediate attention and it is important to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist or visit your nearest hospital as soon as possible. Fractures to the tooth may occur in just one layer like the enamel or can occur in multiple layers such as the dentin or the pulp (the innermost layer of the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels). The dentist may treat the broken tooth by fitting a crown over your child’s broken tooth to protect its surface. In addition, a crown will restore the functions of the fractured tooth – biting, chewing, and speaking.
- Root Canal Treatment:
Bacteria infect the pulp and cause inflammation or dental infection. In this case, a root canal treatment is necessary to save the tooth and prevent infection and decay from spreading elsewhere in the mouth. During this procedure, the infected pulp is removed and a dental crown is placed to seal and protect the tooth from exposure to reinfection. The best pediatric dentist in Dubai will determine your child’s need for a crown based on the tooth structure. Both front teeth and back molars need a crown after a root canal treatment since a child’s bite can easily break the remaining tooth structure.
A crown will restore strength to your child’s tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.
Explore your options
White crown:
White zirconia crowns, typically known as white crowns due to their colour, are made of zirconia – a ceramic tooth-colored material. They are incredibly strong, durable, and stain-resistant and are pre-made for children. Procedures concerning white crowns are done on the same day. White crowns are a great option as they match the tooth enamel and allow your child to maintain a natural smile for years to come.
Silver crown:
Silver crowns are a great option to restore your child’s primary tooth and protect it from decay, infection, and damage. They are easy to place on top of any size of the tooth. Silver crowns come in premade shapes and can withstand large amounts of pressure from biting. They benefit from being extremely durable. If you are looking for a cost-effective option, a silver crown is the one.
Dentistry has come a long way. Today, there are wide options to suit every individual case and offer incredible practicality in their use. Be it durability, strength, or natural appearance, a crown will seamlessly fit into your child’s smile. A dental crown will protect your child’s infected or damaged tooth to a great extent if maintained well. Ensure your child cleans the teeth and gums to keep any food particles from sticking to the crown and avoid biting directly on anything hard. Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are key to preventing cavities and taking precautionary measures while playing contact sports and other activities will prevent any potential injuries to your child’s teeth.
About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.