Stainless Steel Crowns

Does my child need a stainless steel crown?

A stainless steel crown is normally indicated if your child has one or more teeth that are extensively decayed or damaged but with enough tooth structure remaining to save the tooth/teeth. They are placed in cases where a dental filling is not an option to save the tooth. This is our last resort, before having to extract the tooth.

Why not just pull the tooth?

In many cases, we attempt to save the tooth, even though it is a “baby tooth” and your “child will lose it anyways” for many reasons. First, if a tooth can be saved, that would be better for your child’s chewing. Second, early tooth loss can cause shifting of teeth, causing impaction of adult teeth, and may lead to needing braces in the future.

How are stainless steel crowns applied at Amazing Smiles?

The crown is placed during a single dental appointment. Your child’s teeth are prepped after removing the decay, and then a stainless steel crown is fitted to your child’s teeth after making modifications to the crown. We will ensure proper retention and bite. The crown will be cemented over the tooth using special dental cement.

How do I help my child after getting a stainless steel crown?

After your child has their crown placed, we recommend no eating or chewing until the numbness from the anesthetics has worn off in order to avoid lip or cheek bites and ulcerations. Over-the-counter pain medications can be used to manage any discomfort and soreness they feel while their teeth and gums adjust to the crown. Soft food diet is recommended for the first couple of days. 

How do I care for my child’s dental crown?

Brushing and flossing twice daily is still extremely important to maintain proper oral hygiene to avoid crown failure, getting cavities under the crown, swelling, and other complications that can lead to tooth extraction eventually. We will show you how to brush and floss around the crown. Your child has to avoid behaviors like chewing on ice, objects like toys, or hard and sticky candies, as this may cause damage to the crown or may lead to crown loss. 

It is important to monitor any tooth that has a stainless steel crown. And if you notice any swelling, pain, drainage, redness, or any other symptoms, you must schedule an appointment immediately so we can evaluate the tooth and treat it accordingly.