A pediatric dental appointment is as stressful for the parent as the child, if not more. Parents are bound to be anxious and apprehensive about what the dentist may find and how the child will react. If the dentist mentions cavities, all sorts of scary imaginary scenarios start playing in the parent’s mind.
However, this does not have to be the case. Knowledge about dental procedures can relax you and prevent you from transferring your anxiety to your child. If you are following good oral hygiene habits with your child, the dentist will not find anything. In case the dentist does find a small cavity, this can easily be fixed with a filling. If the dentist finds a large cavity, he or she may recommend a crown or a cap. A crown covers the tooth entirely and is stronger and more successful than dental fillings. They are also known to reduce the need for retreatment in children.
When is a crown or cap recommended?
- A large cavity, which may not retain the filling for a long time.
- A tooth with multiple cavities on its different sides.
- A badly broken down tooth.
- A tooth which has undergone root canal treatment.
- A misshapen tooth.
- A badly cracked or chipped tooth.
What types of crowns or caps available for kids?
Stainless steel crowns
These are a very good option for the back teeth. Stainless steel crowns are very strong and quite easy to fit for a child. They can be easily adjusted to the child’s tooth and are more cost-effective as compared to the other crowns. The disadvantage of these crowns is that they are silver in color and hence are not used for the front teeth. Rarely the child may be allergic to some of the base metals present in the crown.
Stainless steel crowns with white facings
These are pre-veneered steel crowns with a plastic white facing so that they can be used for the front teeth. However, they may appear bulkier than a natural tooth and also parts of the white facing may chip with use, leading to the silver color to show. Their color is the only advantage over traditional silver-colored stainless steel crowns.
Resin crowns
These are prepared in the clinic by the dentist. They look natural in the beginning but may stain and discolor with time. Their strength is much weaker than that of stainless steel crowns. They take a longer time to prepare and may be difficult to fabricate in an uncooperative child. These are not very commonly used anymore and are reserved for special situations.
Zirconia crowns in kids
Advantages of zirconia crowns in children
- Zirconia crowns are the most natural-looking crowns available. They help restore a child’s confidence by giving the perfect smile.
- They usually do not chip leading to an unaesthetic look.
- They do not get stained or discolored over time.
- They are very durable and strong crowns.
Disadvantages of zirconia crowns in children
- They cannot be used in children who suffer from crowding of teeth as their size cannot be adjusted.
- They are more expensive than stainless steel crowns.
- The procedure to cement these crowns in the child’s mouth can be a bit more complicated and time-consuming. This is not a problem for older children but some of the younger children may start to lose patience and become cranky.
Procedure for fixing zirconia crowns in children
The best kinds of cement include a resin cement or a resin-modified glass ionomer cement.
This is an absolutely safe procedure for the child and although it can be done without anesthesia, some dentists may use sedation techniques to help the child cope with the procedure. This procedure usually requires only one visit to the dental office with an additional visit scheduled after a couple of weeks for a recall checkup.
Conclusion
Zirconia crowns for children are very natural-looking, strong, and safe for use. While stainless steel crowns can be a good alternative in the back teeth there is nothing that comes close to zirconia crowns for the front teeth. These are currently the best that material science in dentistry has to offer. If cost is not an issue, they are the ultimate choice.