Baby teeth are more important than many people realize, which is why doctors may recommend a stainless steel crowns when a tooth has decay. These teeth do fall out, but before that happens, primary or baby teeth serve many functions. Baby teeth help in biting and chewing food and in proper speech development. Most children begin to have teeth erupt around six months of age. By the time children are toddlers, all the primary teeth are present.
There are many reasons why cavities and tooth decay form in primary teeth. Caregivers must teach children oral hygiene. It takes a lot of practice to establish habits. Many caregivers do not know how to brush and clean their child’s teeth or assume it is not important until the child is much older. Caregivers often mention to their dentists that the primary teeth do not seem to be important because they will fall out, and adult teeth will replace them.
The same types of foods and drinks that cause tooth decay in adults cause tooth decay in children as well. Foods with sugars and carbohydrates that remain on the teeth promote bacterial growth. It is not uncommon for caregivers to put babies and toddlers to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Candies, cereal, and soda also can cause tooth damage, especially when coupled with poor brushing habits.
The enamel on primary teeth is much thinner than on permanent adult teeth. When a cavity develops on the primary tooth, it can damage the enamel. If the dentist does not get to the cavity in time, the decay can damage the tooth so much that a filling will no longer work. This is when a doctor may decide to place a stainless steel crown on the tooth.
Stainless steel crowns can be confusing for some caregivers because they think of them as temporary crowns. Because primary teeth can decay so fast, placing a filling can be ineffective. Placing a stainless steel crown has been the standard of care for many years. The dentist cements the crown in place. The crown can withstand the grinding and chewing pressure during eating.
It is great for very young children. Kids may struggle with fears of the dentist’s office. A dentist can place a stainless steel crown quickly, as it is usually preformed and then cemented over the tooth. For children under the age of four, a stainless steel crown is more likely to last than a filling. This can reduce the number of visits to the dentist.
Stainless steel crowns are most often used on premolars. Sometimes, a dentist will place a crown on a tooth next to a space. The crown can also serve as an aid to a spacer. This allows space for an emerging adult tooth.
Stainless steel crowns preserve primary teeth so children can eat and develop without more difficulty. Crowns prevent tooth decay from spreading to nearby teeth. Dentists like using stainless steel crowns because of their durability, even with extreme wear. Stainless steel crowns can even help dentists hold space for emerging teeth, which promotes good tooth alignment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.orthodonticprecision.com or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at (703) 391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
One factor you may consider when deciding between Invisalign® and braces is the potential for mouth pain and cuts. You may have a lot of concern about discomfort when correcting the alignment of your teeth. Not only can there be discomfort from moving the teeth into place, but also the corrective device can rub the…
Patients who choose Invisalign® are generally able to maintain a more normal lifestyle than patients wearing traditional braces. Patients with wire-and-bracket braces, or those who had such braces in the past, likely remember at least one instance in which they had to visit the emergency orthodontist to replace a part or fix a broken wire,…
Early orthodontic treatment is immensely important. Timing is crucial even when it comes to your kid’s orthodontic treatment. Parents are always encouraged to take their children for the first checkup when an orthodontic issue is recognized, but no later than age 7. By this age, your kid has enough permanent teeth for an oral health…
Invisalign® dental aligners are an excellent option for patients who want to avoid the look and feel of traditional metal braces while straightening crooked teeth or closing gaps between teeth. Compared to braces, most observers do not realize when someone is wearing clear aligners.For this treatment, dentists take impressions of patients' upper and lower teeth…
One factor you may consider when deciding between Invisalign® and braces is the potential for mouth pain and cuts. You may have a lot of concern about discomfort when correcting the alignment of your teeth. Not only can there be discomfort from moving the teeth into place, but also the corrective device can rub the…
Patients who choose Invisalign® are generally able to maintain a more normal lifestyle than patients wearing traditional braces. Patients with wire-and-bracket braces, or those who had such braces in the past, likely remember at least one instance in which they had to visit the emergency orthodontist to replace a part or fix a broken wire,…