Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry can help to preserve a child’s primary teeth when they are severely damaged by extensive tooth decay or facial trauma. In some cases, it may even be necessary to save a baby tooth from being lost prematurely.

Dental crowns are the most common restoration placed on teeth in such instances. These tooth-shaped caps cover the entire surface of the tooth and can restore structural damage caused by sizeable cavities or when the teeth sustain trauma.

To learn more about the benefits of restorative dentistry and when these treatments may be appropriate for your child, call our office or schedule a consultation for your child. We want to do everything possible to restore a healthy smile for your child.

Saving Teeth Through Restorative Dentistry

In some cases, severely compromised teeth cannot be salvaged using standard fillings. These cases require more comprehensive restorations, such as dental crowns.

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are bonded atop a tooth and cover the entire surface of the tooth. They are held in place using a strong dental cement.

With proper care, dental crowns can last a decade or more. If your child practices good oral hygiene habits, sees a dentist regularly and avoids any behaviors that could damage the crown (such as chewing on non-food objects), you’ll find that the dental crown is a durable solution for preserving a tooth.

Dental Crown Treatment Process

The dental crown treatment process for primary teeth is accomplished in one visit. We prepare the tooth by removing any decayed material, along with a thin layer of enamel to make room for the crown. A pre-fabricad crown is selected to fit the tooth snugly and cemented in place with a special dental cement.

We want to ensure your child’s comfort throughout the process and will use the most effective local anesthetics available. Sedation may also be an option if your child needs it.

Dental crowns may be made of a number of materials, such as zirconia or stainless steel. We’ll discuss the various options with you, along with considerations for each type of material, so that you can make the treatment choice that will be most suitable and effective for your child.

When do pediatric patients need dental crowns?

In many instances, children need to get dental crowns for the same reasons that adults do – to save a permanent tooth that has developed a large cavity or been affected by a dental injury.

If your child needs to have a root canal performed on a permanent tooth, that tooth also will be fitted with a crown. The root canal process leaves a tooth more susceptible to breakage so a crown offers additional protection to the treated tooth.

Parents may be perplexed when a dental crown is recommended for a baby tooth. After all, it will be lost eventually, so they may wonder why it’s necessary to save it.

In reality, baby teeth need to stay in place for a certain time to give the underlying permanent teeth the time to develop completely and erupt properly. Premature loss of the primary teeth can interfere with that process.

Common Questions about Restorative Dentistry

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is the dental specialty that focuses on repairing severely damaged teeth to save them from being extracted. When a tooth has a large cavity or has been affected by a traumatic injury, it’s important to explore restorative dentistry options because it’s far more preferable to save a biological tooth rather than extract it and replace it with a prosthetic, especially in children.

What materials are used for restorations?

Many materials may be used in pediatric dental crowns, including zirconia, stainless steel, and composite resin. Some of these materials look similar to biological tooth enamel, while others do not. The location of your child’s tooth and nature of the damage, as well as whether the tooth is primary or permanent, may determine what material will be most appropriate for the crown.

What are my child’s tooth restoration options?

The tooth restoration options will depend on the extent of damage that the tooth has suffered. A relatively small cavity can often be addressed with a conventional filling, while a larger one is likely to require a crown to restore the tooth’s structure. After evaluating your child’s case, we can make a treatment recommendation to meet their needs.

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns can last up to a decade or even longer in some cases. We recognize that the durability of dental crowns is particularly important for pediatric patients, who expect to keep the treated teeth for decades. We will work closely with you so that you know exactly what to do to get the optimal lifespan from your child’s dental crown. We will also monitor your child to determine when the crown might need to be replaced.