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A King’s head is adorned with a bejeweled Crown; similarly, the head of an Injured tooth is adorned with a Dental Crown. A Dental Crown is basically a tooth-like enclosure that covers and surrounds a tooth that has been severely decayed, damaged, or lost. The dental crown simulates the natural tooth in appearance, shape, size, and function.

A dental crown​ plays a vital role in the restoration of the damaged baby tooth crown. Tooth decay is one of the leading chronic childhood diseases affecting school children. It leads to the destruction of the baby's tooth crown demanding the immediate attention of a Pediatric Dentist. Therefore supervised oral hygiene maintenance and regular dental care is a must for kids of all ages.

Modesto Kidz Dental specializes in rescuing the wounded baby tooth crown by offering a variety of Dental Crown options. We also educate you to maintain the perfect oral hygiene for your kids to prevent the further incidence of tooth decay or damage.

Why is a Dental Crown Needed?

• To preserve the milk tooth that has been damaged by decay or fracture.
• ​To restore milk tooth that has not developed properly or is discolored.
• Extracting a milk tooth at an early age may cause the adjacent teeth to migrate into space and create malalignment of succeeding permanent teeth. Restoring a damaged tooth with a dental crown would prevent such malocclusion.
• Maintenance of oral health habits such as chewing, drinking, speaking, and proper development of jawbones and muscles.
• Baby tooth crown has thin enamel compared to adults. This leads to the rapid spread of tooth decay. The use of a dental crown for damaged baby teeth prevents the spread of tooth decay to other teeth in the mouth.
• ​To protect milk teeth of children at high risk of dental decay or who cannot keep up with regular oral hygiene. E.g.: Uncooperative or handicapped child.

All dental crown problems can be eliminated by the selection of the proper type of dental crown.

​Types of Dental Crown​

Dentistry has a varied range of dental crown materials enlisted below:

Stainless Steel

They are prefabricated crowns basically used to cover molar teeth in children. Stainless steel crowns are commonly addressed as “silver caps” as they are silver in color; so they cannot be used to restore front teeth. They are durable, corrosion-resistant, and easy to adapt crowns available at an affordable price. A single visit is sufficient for a Stainless steel crown placement. Most commonly used dental crown by pediatric dentists.

​Metal

These are fabricated from metals such as gold, platinum or other base metal alloys. They have high strength and wear resistance. As they are metallic in color they are solely utilized to restore molar teeth.

Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)

They are core metal crowns layered externally with porcelain. PFM crowns are tooth colored and have good strength. However, the probability of the porcelain chipping or opposite tooth grinding is present.

All resin (Strip Crowns)

All resin crowns are processed from composite material using a clear plastic mold. They are tooth-colored crowns with excellent esthetics used for front teeth. However, they are weak compared to stainless steel/metal crowns and are susceptible to fracture. All resin crown placement is technique sensitive.

​All ceramic or All-porcelain

They entirely made from porcelain. They can be used to restore front as well as back teeth.

​Polycarbonate crowns

These are made from tooth-colored acrylic material to provide a temporary restoration. Cost-effective.

Temporary versus permanent

Temporary crowns are fabricated to aid in esthetic and function while the permanent crown is fabricated in the dental laboratory. It is made from acrylic dental crown material and offers a temporary solution. Permanent crowns are fabricated from high-strength materials like metals and resins to last a lifetime. Resin veneer crowns and Zirconia ceramic crowns are the latest developments in esthetic pediatric dental crowns. They provide exceptional esthetics & durability but at a high cost.

Dental Crown Procedure

​First visit: Examining and preparing the tooth

The pediatric dentist will examine the tooth that needs a dental crown at the first visit. An x-ray will be taken to judge the condition of the tooth in relation to the underlying bone and gums. If there is any sign of persisting infection or if the tooth is extensively decayed or damaged the dentist will suggest a root canal treatment.

Does getting a crown hurt?

Your dentist will make use of anesthesia and sedation to make you comfortable during the dental crown procedure.

Initially, a topical anesthetic gel is applied to partially numb the area surrounding the tooth. An anesthetic injection is given to numb the tooth nerve. For uncooperative or highly anxious children nitrous oxide is administered. A dental dam is placed to isolate the specific tooth. Decay if any is excavated and large cavities are filled. Root canal treatment if needed is undertaken. The baby tooth crown is given shape to make place for the subsequent dental crown. The reshaped tooth is now ready for impression and crown placement.

Depending on types of a dental crown:-

Inthecaseofprefabricatedcrowns:​ Thecrowniscontouredandshapedtoadapttothetooth and is fitted with cement on the same day. This a single visit dental crown placement. E.g: Stainless steel silver crown tooth.

In the case of customized crowns​: The impression of the prepared tooth is taken with an impression paste/putty. Digital scanner is used in advanced setups for the same. The impression of the opposite tooth is also acquired for a proper bite. These impressions are sent to the dental laboratory for processing and fabrication for the final permanent dental crown. The color of the adjacent tooth is recorded to match the artificial dental crown color. The dentist receives the permanent dental crown from the lab within 7-15 days. E.g: For ceramic and zirconia crowns

Before you leave, a temporary crown is made and fitted over the prepared tooth with temporary cement until the arrival of the permanent dental crown.

Second visit: Receiving the permanent dental crown

The temporary crown is removed. The permanent dental crown is seated over the prepared tooth to check for proper fit, color, and bite. After a complete examination, the permanent dental crown is fitted over the tooth with the help of permanent cement.

Aftercare:

- Routine oral hygiene and maintenance

- If you have habits like bruxism, wear a night-guard to protect your dental crown.

How should I care for my Temporary Dental Crown?

A Temporary dental crown enables you to speak, eat and smile at ease until you receive the permanent dental crown. Ensure you follow the below guidelines to sustain the temporary crown long enough till the final crown placement.

- Avoid chewy and sticky foods.

- Avoid hard foods.

- Chew food from the opposite side of the prepared tooth.

- Maintain proper oral hygiene. But do not use dental floss in lifting motion while cleaning interdentally.

Dental Crown Problems:

- Post-placement sensitivity and pain

- Chipping of crown material

- An unbalanced or loose dental crown

- Dislodged crown

- Allergy to crown material

- Dark line development below the crown at the surface of gums

If you encounter any of the above problems consult your dentist immediately.

Dental Crown Cost

A dental crown cost depends upon the country you live in, the type of crown you select, the number of crowns needed, and dentist expertise. A typical dental crown is usually priced at $500- $2000. Dental Insurance companies usually have the dental crown cost covered in their scheme.

For your child’s dental care, call us at (209) 273-4733 for Fluoride Application services in Modesto, CA. We are conveniently located at 2801 Coffee Road, Bldg. B, Modesto, CA 95358.