Dental crowns are used to restore teeth that are severely decayed, damaged, or weakened. These tooth-shaped caps cover and protect the remaining structure, helping to preserve function, maintain spacing, and support long-term oral health.
Crowns are often recommended when a filling is not enough to restore the tooth or after procedures like a pulpotomy.
We offer dental crowns for kids at our pediatric dental office in St. Petersburg, FL.
Key Takeaway
Pediatric dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that restore and protect damaged or decayed teeth. They help preserve your child’s oral health, maintain space for permanent teeth, and support a healthy, confident smile as they grow.
What Are Pediatric Dental Crowns?
A pediatric dental crown is a protective covering shaped like a tooth that is placed over a baby or permanent tooth. It restores the tooth’s size, shape, and function after damage caused by decay or injury.
Crowns are especially useful when a filling is not enough to support the remaining tooth structure or when a tooth has undergone a pulpotomy (baby root canal), which removes infected pulp from inside the tooth to prevent further decay and pain.
They help preserve natural teeth, prevent further decay, and maintain space for proper alignment of incoming permanent teeth.
Why Your Child May Need a Dental Crown
Crowns are typically recommended when a filling is insufficient to restore the tooth. Common reasons include:
- Large cavities or extensive tooth decay
- Broken or chipped teeth
- After a pulpotomy (baby root canal)
- Misshapen teeth or enamel defects
- Protection for decay-prone back teeth
- Preventing damage to neighboring teeth
Dental crowns play a vital role in preventive care and help avoid the extraction of teeth that can still be saved.
Baby Teeth Need Saving Too
Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they guide permanent teeth into place. Losing one too early, especially from decay, can lead to crooked teeth or bite issues later.
Benefits of Dental Crowns for Kids
Dental crowns offer many benefits for children with tooth damage or decay:
- Restore function and chewing ability
- Protect natural teeth from further decay
- Preserve spacing for permanent teeth
- Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
- Provide long-lasting durability and support
- Prevent extraction and support healthy neighboring teeth
With proper oral hygiene and consistent visits, crowns can stay in place until the baby tooth naturally falls out.
Types of Pediatric Dental Crowns We Offer
Every child is different, and we offer a variety of treatment options to meet your child’s needs and preferences. At Sunny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we provide:
- Stainless Steel Crowns: Made from medical-grade stainless steel, these crowns are incredibly durable and resistant to wear. They are ideal for restoring decay-prone back teeth where strength and longevity are most important.
- Zirconia Crowns: Crafted from strong, biocompatible zirconia ceramic, these crowns are highly aesthetic and tooth-colored. They offer a natural look for front or visible teeth and are often chosen when appearance is a top priority.
- Strip Crowns: These are clear plastic forms that are filled with composite resin material and shaped to match your child’s smile. Once hardened, the form is removed, leaving a tooth-colored crown behind. Best for front baby teeth when aesthetics are key.
- BioFlex Crowns: Made from a flexible, translucent material, BioFlex crowns adapt easily to your child’s bite and natural tooth shape. These crowns offer a tooth-colored appearance and are especially useful for children with metal sensitivities or for families seeking a metal-free option. Their gentle fit and durability make them a comfortable choice for restoring baby teeth with moderate decay.
Our pediatric dentist will help you choose the best option based on the location of the tooth, your child’s dental health, and your family’s preferences.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Crown Appointment
We prioritize comfort and education to help every child feel relaxed and confident. Here is what a typical crown appointment looks like:
- Comfort first: We begin with gentle care and clear communication to ease any dental anxiety.
- Numbing the area: A local anesthetic or sedation may be used for pain-free treatment.
- Tooth preparation: We remove decay and shape the tooth to fit the crown.
- Crown placement: The chosen crown is placed and bonded securely.
- Final adjustments: We make sure the bite is comfortable and the crown fits perfectly.
Some crowns are placed in one visit; others may require a follow-up, depending on the crown type.
Did You Know?
Children who need crowns are more likely to benefit from fluoride treatment and dental sealants to protect their other teeth from future decay. Ask about adding these during your next visit!
Dental Sedation Options Available
For children with dental anxiety or special healthcare needs, we offer sedation dentistry, including:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
- IV sedation with trained professionals
Talk to our dental team about sedation options that help your child feel calm and safe during their visit.
Make Crowns Less Scary
You can help ease dental anxiety by reading a story or role-playing a visit before your child’s crown appointment. Familiarity builds confidence in the dental chair!
Caring for Your Child’s Dental Crown
Encourage these habits to help the crown last:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily to clean around the crown
- Avoid sticky or hard foods
- Visit us for regular checkups and cleanings
We will check the crown at each dental visit to make sure it is secure and functioning well.
Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit!
It includes fun activities and a daily brushing chart to help make oral hygiene feel like an adventure for kids.
Your Local Home for Children’s Smiles
You can find us in our bright yellow building with blue shutters, right off MLK Jr. Street near Gandy Boulevard. Our cheerful office, painted bright yellow with blue shutters, is a welcoming home for pediatric dentistry in St. Petersburg, FL.
We accept most PPO dental insurance plans and are in-network with many providers, helping families in St. Petersburg, FL receive high-quality pediatric care with predictable costs.
Schedule an Appointment in St. Petersburg, FL
Whether your child needs a crown for a decayed tooth or a chipped front tooth, our friendly team is here to help. We believe in building healthy smiles with gentle care and specialized treatments.
To book an appointment, at our pediatric dental office in St. Petersburg, FL, call (727) 914-6611 or visit us at 8525 Dr MLK Jr St N St Petersburg, FL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can kids get dental crowns?
Yes, dental crowns are commonly used in pediatric dentistry to protect and restore baby teeth or young permanent teeth.
What is the alternative to a crown for a child?
In some cases, a large filling or extraction may be considered. However, crowns are often the best choice to preserve the natural tooth and maintain proper spacing.
How long do pediatric crowns last?
Most crowns on baby teeth last until the tooth naturally falls out. With good oral hygiene, crowns on permanent teeth can last many years.
Are crowns better than fillings?
Crowns are recommended when a tooth is too damaged for a filling. They offer more protection and durability for teeth with significant decay.
Are dental crowns safe for kids?
We use pediatric-safe materials and child-friendly techniques to place crowns comfortably and safely.
Will a crown change how my child eats or speaks?
Once placed, most children adjust to their crowns quickly and can eat and speak normally.
