A child may need a dental crown if one of their teeth is far too damaged to be saved with a filling. However, just the thought of undergoing a procedure like this can make them uneasy. Don’t worry, the treatment is not as complicated as it may seem. You’ll be relieved to know that pediatric dental crowns follow five simple steps. Keep reading!
First, the pediatric dentist needs to see how bad the damage is. They may also take an X-ray to get a deeper look.
If there’s a large cavity on one of your child’s primary teeth, a crown might be necessary to protect it until it’s time for the permanent tooth to appear.
Before preparing the tooth, pediatric dentists use a local anesthetic to numb it. It feels like a slight pinch.
If your little one is too nervous, your dentist may suggest some form of dental sedation to keep them relaxed.
The cavity has to be cleaned before placing a pediatric dental crown.
The dentist first removes the damaged portion of the tooth and then takes away a small amount of the outer enamel to create space for the crown. This helps ensure your child’s tooth does not feel bulky once the crown is placed. Since the tooth is numb, most children do not feel any pain during this step.
Some preformed crowns, such as stainless steel crowns, may require minimal preparation and in some cases less anesthesia depending on the clinical situation.
The dentist will take an impression of your child’s teeth with a putty-like material. For some children with a sensitive gag reflex, this part can be a little bit challenging. But don’t worry. Pediatric dentists have special techniques to ensure that it’s not uncomfortable for your child.
These days, many dentists also offer digital impressions for an even easier process! They send the impressions to a trusted dental lab where they craft your child’s dental crown.
When the crown is prepared, your dentist will check to make sure it fits properly on your kid’s tooth. Then, they will secure the crown in place using a special dental cement.
Your dentist will have your child bite down. The goal is for your child to have no pain or high pressure on the tooth. Your dentist will adjust any high spots right away so your kid can eat and talk comfortably.
Afterward, you and your child will get complete instructions on how to care for the new crown.
Now that you know all the steps of the pediatric dental crown procedure, you and your child can be well prepared. If you have any questions about the treatment or want to know whether it’s right for your child, reach out to our dental team at Aquario Dental and Braces today! Book an appointment at our Wayside Drive or West Little York office.
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