The white zirconia dental crown is a metal-free, exceedingly esthetic, and highly durable material used in dentistry today.
Fortunately, developments in this cutting-edge technology with ceramics have resulted in a stainless steel crown replacement. These crowns can be used to restore primary teeth that have been chipped, damaged, or fractured, are not developing normally, or have decay areas that are too vast to fill without fracturing the tooth. Patients and parents are generally concerned about severely decaying primary teeth, especially when the anterior (front) teeth are affected.
Zirconia crowns are one of the most cosmetically pleasing dental restoration alternatives since they mix in with your child’s other teeth. They do not chip, discolor, or break down over time since they are made of solid monolithic zirconia ceramic.
The zirconia crown kits provide a variety of pre-made crowns in a variety of sizes. Your pediatric dentist will choose the right size crown after prepping a tooth for a crown, which is then passively put on the tooth and cemented in place. Typically, zirconia crowns are glued in place with:
- Resin cement
2. Resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cement
3. Bioactive RMGI cement
Because zirconia crowns are pre-made, they may be fitted and set on the patient in one visit, rather than using a temporary crown while the permanent one is being created and then returning for implantation at a later date. Zirconia crowns also don’t require dental impressions and aren’t technique-sensitive, making the procedure more pleasant for the child.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFTER TREATMENT
There are things you can do at home after your child has a dental procedure to ensure that he or she heals properly. Home care is necessary for maintaining a healthy smile, and post-operative care is critical for proper recovery and maintenance.
NUMBNESS
Two to four hours later, the mouth will be numb. During this time, keep an eye out for any bites, scratches, or injuries to the cheek, lips, or tongue. Foods that require a lot of chewing should be avoided; a soft food diet is advised.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Physical activity and exercise are not recommended today. As tolerated, resume regular activities. Smoking is harmful to one’s health and might cause delays in recovery after oral surgery.
DIET
After all bleeding has stopped, the patient can consume cool non-carbonated beverages but should NOT use a straw. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. The first day is best for cold soft meals (ice cream, gelatin, Instant Breakfast®, pudding, and yogurt). Food consistency may improve as tolerated on the second day. Avoid items like almonds, sunflower seeds, and popcorn that might become stuck in the surgery region until the healing process has progressed.
SWELLING
Swelling and irritation may be present over the next two days. If swelling or bruising occurs, ice packs (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) can be used for the first 24 hours to reduce edema and/or bruising. Warm/wet compresses (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) may assist if edema remains beyond 24 hours. If swelling persists after 48 hours, please contact your pediatric dentist.
FEVER
In the first 48 hours following surgery, a minor fever (temperature of 100.5°F) is usual. Call the pediatric dentist if your temperature becomes worse or doesn’t go away.
COMPOSITE FILLINGS
To avoid breaking the filling, avoid sticky, hard sweets and chewing on ice.
Avoid biting directly into hard foods like apples, carrots, and corn on the cob with your front teeth.
Drinking or eating dark-colored beverages and foods should be avoided since they can stain and discolor the resin material.
Resin fillings are prone to recurrent decay (new decay around the filling edge), thus those teeth should be washed and flossed as if they were natural teeth.
Use Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as advised by the child’s age for any pain.
Sealants
Sealants keep plaque and food out of pits and cracks, reducing the risk of deterioration. Because the sealant is only applied to the biting surface of the tooth, it cannot be applied to the side or between teeth. To avoid decay close to these sealants or in places that cannot be coated, good dental hygiene and diet are still essential.
Caramel, taffy, roll-ups, and rough fruit chews are among the sticky, chewy, and sweet foods to avoid.
Ice and hard sweets, which tend to crack the sealant, should be avoided by your child.
ZIRCONIA CROWNS
Because treatment must be done close below the gumline to properly place the crown or spacer, expect your child’s gums to be sore for 2 or 3 days. For the following several days, brushing your child’s gum tissue may cause bleeding. Keep the region clean by gently brushing and flossing two to three times a day to aid recovery.
It may take your child a few days to become used to the crown or spacer. Allowing your child to pick or tug at the crown or spacer might cause it to fall out due to constant tension and pressure.
For the duration of the crown, your kid should avoid sticky, hard candy (such as taffy, suckers, or caramels). Sticky foods can cause the crown or spacer to become loose, even if it is glued to the tooth structure.
If your child’s spacer or crown becomes loose or breaks, please contact your pediatric dentist so that they can assess the situation and determine whether it needs to be strengthened or replaced.
Once again, for any discomfort, use Children’s Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed according to the age of the child.
We understand that there is a lot to think about! Hearing that your kid may require a crown on a baby tooth can be shocking. So, if you’re a parent who hears the words “baby tooth crown,” don’t worry; schedule an appointment with me and let’s talk!