A dental crown is a restoration that covers or “caps” a tooth, restoring it to its normal size and shape while strengthening and protecting it from further cracking or breakage. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is damaged by decay to the point that a filling is no longer a treatment option. Sometimes when a dentist removes significant tooth decay or performs a nerve treatment, they will also recommend capping the child’s affected tooth with a crown.
Stainless steel crowns are silver caps that cover the back teeth and preserve more of the tooth structure than other types of crowns. They withstand forces from biting and chewing well and rarely chip or break. Stainless steel crowns are often used on young patients who require a crown that can adapt to an adjusting and growing mouth.
White crowns are used to strengthen decayed front teeth. They are commonly referred to as strip crowns and are made of a composite resin. White crowns that are used on back teeth are made of a material that contains porcelain fused to metal. These crowns are more commonly used on adult teeth. They are more rigid and work better when a mouth has stopped growing. White crowns are close in color to natural teeth, so they are more cosmetically pleasing.
Dental crowns for children are generally completed in one visit and will usually last until they are replaced by adult teeth.