White Crowns On Toddler Teeth Procedure
When your baby’s teeth have extensive decay, dental fillings cannot reverse the damage caused. But, you don’t have to worry, as the pediatric dentist in Phoenix, AZ, can use white crowns on the damaged teeth to reduce further decay and restore the tooth’s shape.
There are different dental crowns for toddlers, and the most common ones are silver and white crowns. Most people prefer the white ones to the silver ones as they are less noticeable and more aesthetically pleasing. Parents determine the best choice of crown for their child according to the difference in cost between the two, location of the tooth, and time is taken before the tooth is shed.
Is Getting a Crown Painful for Kids?
Although the procedure of having a white crown for your kid’s tooth is simple, some pain and discomfort can be experienced. This is because kids are more sensitive to dental crowns than adults.
The pain and discomfort experienced are normal and can last up to 24 hours. It is important to note that your kid will not feel any pain during the procedure as local anaesthesia is administered to ensure the treatment runs smoothly. Pain experienced for more than 24 hours after the treatment should concern you, and you should contact the emergency pediatric dentist near you.
Can Toddlers Get White Crowns?
Your baby’s teeth are supposed to last between five to nine years. A toddler’s tooth comes out between six and twelve months and will start to shed the teeth at the age of five. White crowns on baby teeth can enhance the longevity of your baby’s teeth. In addition, the pediatric dental crown can repair decayed, misshapen, or injured teeth.
In addition to repairing decayed teeth, dental crowns can be used as a proactive preventative treatment to protect a baby’s teeth which are soft and susceptible to decay. If you notice that your baby’s tooth has some white spots, it would be best to look for an emergency pediatric dentist near you. If you visit the dentist early enough, the dental crown can prevent further decay and spare you the trouble of taking your child to the dentist for a more complex dental procedure.
White Crown Installation Procedure for Your Baby’s Teeth
The first step that your pediatric dentist takes is preparing your child’s tooth. In this step, the dentist shapes the tooth to make a surface onto which the crown will be mounted to fit well.
After the preparation of the tooth is complete, the next step is taking impressions of the tooth through a digital scanner or a dental putty. The impressions taken are sent to the lab to create the crown. The dentist will also select a shade that matches the surrounding teeth at this stage. This ensures that the crown looks like the other teeth.
The third step involves fitting a temporary crown which is important as your toddler has to wait for a few days before the white crown is made in the lab.
The dentist will fix the white crown when taking your child for the second dental visit. The pediatric dentist uses local anaesthesia to numb the gum tissue where the crown is fitted and the tooth where the crown is fitted. Anaesthesia is important as it ensures the procedure runs smooth and pain-free.
Once the anaesthesia kicks in, a rubber dam is draped over your child’s mouth to isolate the tooth being treated. This is important as it keeps the area free from moisture, which helps the dentist see the area they are working on.
The dentist then fits the white crown on the tooth that was prepared. Tooth glue can be used by mixing it on both sides of the dental crown before the crown is fitted. The glue ensures that the crown adheres well with the tooth.
Your pediatric dentist will remove the rubber dam and ask the child to bite hard on the crown. If there is any excess cement, it is removed, and the tooth contacts are flossed.
If you notice stains on a child’s teeth, mostly white stains, this is a sign of tooth decay, and you should visit the Desert Ridge Pediatric Dentistry so that the dentist can treat your child’s tooth and prevent further decay.