What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are the best option for protecting damaged teeth. A crown looks like a hollow tooth, and is designed to fit over your damaged tooth, covering it up all the way down to your gum line. At Elegant Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we offer stainless steel crowns for baby teeth, and lab-made porcelain crowns for kids and adults who need to restore an adult tooth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and get the expert dental care your family needs in San Diego.
Treatment For Baby Teeth: Stainless Steel Crowns
When treating baby teeth, Dr. Parsafar and Dr. Javidi typically use stainless steel crowns. Stainless steel crowns are very strong and durable, and provide excellent protection for your little one’s smile. They are also affordable, and this is important for baby teeth.
Since baby teeth are meant to fall out naturally as your child’s adult teeth emerge, it makes sense to use a more affordable crown made of stainless steel to protect their baby tooth. Stainless steel crowns are also pre-fitted, which means that kids can typically get a crown in just one appointment at Elegant Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
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Lab-Made Porcelain Crowns
For adults or older kids who have their adult teeth, we recommend lab-made porcelain crowns. These crowns are custom-built to look and feel just like natural teeth, and to match the natural shade and appearance of your smile. Porcelain crowns also last longer than stainless steel crowns, so they're a great long-term investment in your smile.
It typically takes two appointments over a period of 2-3 weeks to get a porcelain crown. You’ll need to come into our office to have your tooth trimmed and to be fitted for your crown. Then, Dr. Parsafar and Dr. Javidi will work with our dental lab to build a custom crown for your tooth. You’ll come back in a few weeks to have it placed on your tooth, and then you can enjoy your new smile for years to come.
Zirconia Crowns
Seeking an aesthetic, minimally invasive option to crowns? Zirconia crowns are made from a durable and biocompatible material, zirconia, which is known for its excellent strength and aesthetic properties. One of the significant advantages of zirconia crowns for pediatrics is their ability to withstand wear and tear which is great for adventurous kiddos. They are less likely to chip or fracture, providing a long-lasting solution for restoring damaged or decayed primary teeth. Moreover, zirconia crowns are free from metal, making them an ideal choice for children with metal allergies or sensitivities. Beyond their functional attributes, zirconia crowns also offer an aesthetically pleasing appearance, closely resembling your child's natural smile.
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
Treating decay and infections
Dental crowns are the best choice for treating deep tooth decay, or for restoring an infected tooth after a root canal. Crowns offer superior protection and last longer compared to fillings.
In pediatric dentistry, crowns are especially useful when a child’s baby tooth is severely damaged but still needs to remain in place to guide proper eruption of adult teeth. By covering the entire tooth, crowns help preserve its function, reduce sensitivity, and prevent further decay or infection, ensuring long-term oral health.
Repairing dental trauma
Accidents happen. If you or your child break a tooth, a dental crown is usually the best way to repair it. With a crown, your tooth will look brand new, and will be protected from any further damage or complications, like a tooth infection.
Crowns are particularly effective in stabilizing fractured or chipped teeth, especially in young, active patients prone to falls or sports-related injuries. By fully encasing the damaged tooth, a crown restores both appearance and function, giving kids the confidence to smile, speak, and chew comfortably again.
Cosmetic treatment
In some cases, Dr. Parsafar or Dr. Javidi may recommend porcelain dental crowns for cosmetic purposes. For example, if you have multiple damaged teeth and you want to restore your oral health and improve your smile at the same time, dental crowns may be a good option.
Porcelain crowns blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, making them an ideal choice for enhancing aesthetics while reinforcing tooth structure. Whether you're correcting discoloration, reshaping a worn tooth, or achieving a more uniform smile, crowns provide both beauty and durability in one solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns for Children in Rancho Bernardo,CA
How Do I Care For A Dental Crown?
All you need to do is brush and floss normally. Along with routine six-month visits to Elegant Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and a “tooth-healthy” diet, proper oral hygiene will keep your crown in great shape.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Stainless steel crowns are not meant to be permanent. They usually last up to 10 years, which means your child’s stainless steel crown will last until their adult tooth emerges, and replaces the baby tooth that has been treated with a crown.
Lab-made porcelain crowns, on the other hand, are meant to be permanent. With proper care, your new crown can last you up to 30 years or longer. Take good care of your newly-restored tooth, and it will take good care of you for decades to come!
Are dental crowns safe for kids?
Absolutely. Dental crowns are safe and widely used in pediatric dentistry. Our pediatric specialists, Dr. Javidi and Dr. Parsafar, ensure crowns are placed with the utmost care using child-friendly techniques.
How long do crowns last on baby teeth?
Crowns on baby teeth are designed to last until the natural exfoliation of the tooth — typically several years. Durability depends on factors such as oral hygiene, diet, and whether your child grinds their teeth.
Is the procedure painful?
Not at all. We use gentle, kid-centered care and offer local anesthesia or sedation when necessary to make the experience comfortable and stress-free. Your child’s comfort is always our top priority.
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