Stainless Steel and Composite Crowns For Kids

Stainless Steel Crowns

General Information

If a cavity is not caught early, the decay can destroy so much of the tooth structure that there is not enough left to support a filling. A stainless steel crown will save the tooth and prevent the risk of pain and infection. This crown is a pre-made cap that has been trimmed and fitted to your child’s tooth. These crowns cover the entire portion of the tooth at the gum lines. Stainless steel is a long-lasting material in the mouth, and it will serve quite well for the life of the baby (deciduous) teeth. This will keep the tooth and root intact until normal tooth loss occurs.

Stainless steel crowns are used in several circumstances:

 Broken teeth that cannot be repaired by normal fillings.

 Badly decayed teeth where little tooth structure remains.

 To prevent breakage of a tooth which has had a pulpotomy (partial removal of the nerve).

We usually can place the stainless steel crown in one appointment. We will shape your child’s tooth to the necessary form and then trim a stainless steel crown to fit tightly on the tooth. This crown will then be cemented into place. The crowned tooth will usually fall out normally when the permanent tooth is ready to come in.

Instructions for Home Care

 There are no restrictions on your daily activities.

 Encourage brushing right away. A clean mouth heals faster.

 The diet should avoid between-meal sweets to help prevent cavities.

 Hard, sticky food should be avoided.

Notify us if any of the following occur:

 Gums around the crown becomes swollen or tender.

 The tooth that has the crown becomes painful or loose.

For more information on Composite Crowns click here.