If your pediatric dentist in Middleton told you that your child needs a dental crown, you might be wondering if that’s truly necessary.
Isn’t their baby tooth supposed to fall out at some point anyway? Why go through all the trouble of a dental crown for a tooth that your child won't keep for long?
It’s natural to have these questions. Keep reading this short blog post to learn why your child might need a dental crown and how it can help their oral health development.
When Are Crowns for Primary Teeth Necessary?
Dental crowns are caps used to restore both the look and function of a badly damaged tooth.
They are also used to restore baby teeth in the following cases:
- Tooth decay or infection: Both cavity and tooth infection treatments involve removing tooth tissue. Sometimes, a filling isn’t enough to restore the tooth if it has lost a lot of tissue, so a dental crown is necessary.
- Fractures: If a child falls and breaks a tooth, a dental crown is added on top to restore the child’s smile.
- Large chips or cracks: These can occur if the child bites down on something hard or because of trauma. A dental crown can not only restore the tooth but also prevent further damage to it.
- Worn-out teeth: Tooth grinding or a diet high in sugars and acidic foods can wear down the natural enamel of a baby tooth. A crown may be necessary to strengthen the tooth and prevent damage.
Can’t the Baby Tooth Be Pulled Out?
As a general rule, primary teeth should only fall out when they are ready. Trauma or dental damage can lead to premature tooth loss, which affects the child’s oral health.
First, your child needs their teeth to learn how to speak and chew their food. Losing their primary teeth can have serious consequences for their speech development.
Plus, the baby teeth keep the space in the jaw open for the permanent teeth. When adult teeth are ready to erupt, they dissolve the roots of the primary ones. It’s why an adult tooth appears right after a permanent one falls out.
When a baby tooth is lost, the child will need an appliance called a space maintainer to keep the space open. Otherwise, other baby teeth can move to compensate for the extra space, and the adult teeth could grow in improper positions.
But this can all be avoided with a dental crown, which will feel and act just like a natural baby tooth!
Dental Crowns at Campfire Pediatric Dentistry
If your child has a badly damaged tooth, our Middleton pediatric dentist Dr. Nathan Benassi can fit them for a stainless steel or zirconia crown and effectively restore their oral health!
Find out if pediatric dental crowns are right for your child by scheduling an appointment at Campfire Pediatric Dentistry online or calling us at (608) 535-9382.
