A dental crown is a restorative option for a severely decayed or damaged tooth. A crown fits over the existing tooth to protect it from further damage. A crown can be placed on a baby tooth or a permanent tooth.
How can you tell if your child needs one or more dental crowns? There are a few indicators that a tooth needs a crown restoration. Here’s what to look for.
What is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a protective covering placed over a tooth. It is essentially a tooth shaped cap that covers the remaining enamel and preserves the natural root of the tooth. The root, root canal, and some of the enamel can remain in place, providing support for the crown. Crowns are made of either porcelain or metal, depending on the location of the tooth.
Signs That a Tooth Needs a Crown
These are some of the common signs of a tooth that is in need of a crown restoration:
- The tooth has multiple cavities. If multiple cavities occur in the same tooth, it can mean there is not enough tooth enamel left for fillings to be effective. When too much of the tooth enamel is decayed, a crown can be placed over the existing tooth to preserve the natural root structure. The decayed portion will be removed and the enamel is reduced to make room for the crown.
- The tooth is cracked. A crack can develop in a tooth for a variety of reasons. Depending on the severity and depth of the crack, the tooth may need a crown. A crack in the enamel of a tooth can allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause an infection. A cracked tooth may also need a root canal before a crown can be placed to ensure that the inside of the tooth is protected from infection.
- The tooth is broken. A broken tooth can sometimes be restored with a dental crown, depending on the severity of the break and how much of the tooth enamel is left. A small chip may be repaired with composite material, but a significant break may require a crown. This is another situation where the tooth may need a root canal before placing a dental crown.
- The tooth hurts. A toothache typically results from an infected tooth. When bacteria invades the root canal of a tooth, the inside portion containing the dental pulp, it can cause a painful infection. The bacteria may enter through a deep cavity or a crack in a tooth. A root canal procedure can be done to remove the dental pulp and fill the tooth with a rubbery replacement material that is resistant to infection. Then a crown can be placed over the tooth to provide a complete restoration.
When Your Dentist Recommends a Crown
In many cases you may not know that your child needs a crown until your dentist makes the recommendation. During a regular dental cleaning and exam, your child’s dentist may find a deep cavity or a crack in a tooth that needs to be addressed.
Preventing the Need for Dental Crowns
There are some steps you can take to reduce the chances that your child will need a crown:
- Regular dental cleanings and exams. If you take your child to the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and exams, you may be able to prevent the need for crowns. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to detect cavities when they are small, which means they only need a small filling rather than a crown.
- Good oral hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing at home is another important part of preventing the need for dental crowns. Help your child brush their teeth until they are old enough to do it themselves effectively.
- Sports mouthguards. Wearing a mouthguard for sports can help prevent cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. We provide custom made sports mouthguards that fit comfortably and provide effective protection against dental injuries.
Dental Buddies of Vero Beach Provides Dental Crowns
No matter how careful you are, dental injuries and tooth decay can occur. The good news is that dental crowns are highly effective for restoring both baby and permanent teeth. Dental Buddies of Vero Beach provide dental crowns to protect the natural teeth and restore your child’s smile.
Call 772-226-6888 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.