As a parent, it is only natural to have concerns when a dentist suggests a crown for your young child. Many wonder if it's truly necessary, especially since baby teeth will eventually fall out. While not all children will need a crown, it is often a treatment of choice in restoring a tooth with a large cavity often associated with an infection inside the tooth’s nerve tissue.
What are the signs and symptoms of deep cavities and infection in children?
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What Are the Early Warning Signs of Cavities in Children?
Why are dental fillings not enough?
While dental fillings are a common treatment for cavities, they may not be sufficient in certain cases. Fillings are suitable for smaller areas of decay, but when a cavity is large or the tooth is significantly weakened, a filling may not provide the needed strength or longevity. In such cases, a crown is recommended because it covers the entire tooth, providing better protection and restoring its function more effectively.
When would a child need a crown?
A crown is recommended for children when a tooth has significantly large decay or damage that a regular filling can't adequately restore.
Additionally, they are often needed to restore baby teeth that have been treated for nerve infections. When a deep cavity has progressed to the point of infecting the nerve of a tooth, a procedure called a baby root canal may be performed to remove the infected tissue. After this treatment, the tooth can become more fragile, and placing a crown helps to strengthen and protect it, ensuring it can continue to function properly until it naturally falls out.
Did you know that baby teeth are weaker than adult teeth?
Baby teeth have a different structure than permanent teeth. Their enamel layers are thinner, making them more vulnerable to decay and more likely to experience rapid progression of cavities. Proper care of baby teeth is essential because they help maintain space for permanent teeth and contribute to proper chewing and speech development.
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Does decay in primary teeth affect the permanent dentition?
Is it common for young children to get a crown?
At Drs. Nicolas & Asp Centers, our pediatric dentists see a lot of young patients who need treatments for cavities or infection. We have treated children as young as 3 years old with multiple decayed teeth, suffering from severe pain, restlessness, and difficulty eating.
Many parents choose to restore their child's baby teeth rather than extract them and wait for the permanent teeth to erupt. This early onset of dental issues can be alarming for parents, and it's a reminder of how crucial oral hygiene and regular dental visits are for children.
What is the best restorative treatment for children?
The best dental treatment will depend on several factors, including the extent of decay, the presence of infection, the location of the tooth, your child’s age, and overall health. Treatment options may include a crown, filling, or root canal therapy.
As your dental care provider, we believe that the best treatment is one that offers durability, protects against future decay, enhances the tooth's appearance, and ensures the child remains pain-free.
Choosing a suboptimal route can result in the restoration failing, requiring multiple re-treatments over the tooth's lifetime. This not only incurs additional costs and time but also creates inconvenience for the family. Moreover, it can lead to infections and severe pain for the child.
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Why should children see their dentists regularly?
If you're searching for a dentist for your child or would like a second opinion, please feel free to give us a call at 04 394 7777. Our clinics are conveniently located in Jumeirah, The Springs Souk, Marina Walk, and Uptown Mirdif.
