Dental Crowns – Denver, CO
Capping Decayed & Damaged Teeth for Renewed Smiles
At Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that learning your child needs a pediatric dental crown to fix a severely decayed, damaged, or hypoplastic tooth may not be the news you want to hear. No matter how hard you work to help keep their teeth healthy and clean, problems can still develop, resulting in necessary treatment to avoid more serious issues later on. Fortunately, Dr. Patrick and his team can use stainless steel or white tooth-colored zirconia ceramic crowns on the anterior and posterior teeth to not only help restore your child’s normal oral function but also ensure greater confidence in their smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the benefits of dental crowns.
Why Choose Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry for Dental Crowns?
- Board-Certified Dentist with Years of Experience and Training
- Restorations Designed to Improve Functionality and Boost Confidence
- Dental Insurance Accepted and Financing Available
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are customized restorations designed to fit over your child’s tooth to protect its weakened and vulnerable structure while also restoring its functionality. Also referred to as “caps,” children who are recommended for a dental crown typically have more extensive cavities, a broken or damaged tooth, or a hypoplastic tooth, which is a condition that causes the enamel to be weaker and more vulnerable to tooth decay and sensitivity.
These dental restorations can be created using various materials depending on your child’s needs and preferences. At Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Patrick uses both stainless steel and white tooth-colored zirconia ceramic crowns. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends the use of pediatric crowns for primary teeth that cannot be adequately treated with a tooth-colored filling. To ensure your child receives the best possible option for their smile, Dr. Patrick will discuss crown options and the difference between materials.
How Are Dental Crowns Placed?
When you and your child arrive at Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry for their dental crown placement, you can expect Dr. Patrick to ensure the health and safety of your child from beginning to end.
To start, he will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the area surrounding it. This will block the nerves that detect pain and keep your child comfortable throughout the procedure. If necessary, he can also provide nitrous oxide to minimize any dental anxiety your child might experience as a result of their visit.
After giving the child time to settle in and obtain profound anestheisa, he will isolate the tooth and begin to remove the decayed or damaged areas of the tooth. Once completed, he will shape the tooth to ensure the dental crown fits snugly when cemented into place.
Unlike an adult dental crown that is more expensive and requires impressions to be sent to a dental lab where technicians fabricate a customized restoration, a child’s dental crown can be placed the same day as treatment. No matter if Dr. Patrick places a stainless steel or white tooth-colored zirconia crown, these come in various sizes, allowing him to choose the appropriate one that will fit comfortably over the tooth’s structure.
Using dental cement, he will fill the crown and secure it over the tooth following by removing any excess residue.
After the procedure is complete and the local anesthetic wears off, most kids do not experience pain. In some cases, and depending on which type of crown was placed, some children can have mild discomfort for the first 24 hours. Providing an over-the-counter pain reliever (i.e., acetaminophen or ibuprofen) or cold compress can help to minimize discomfort and allow for a more comfortable healing process. You will also want to make sure your child does not eat until the anesthetic has worn off.
Should your child experience pain after the initial 24 hours or complains of difficulty biting or chewing, make sure to contact our office as soon as possible so Dr. Patrick can examine the tooth and make any necessary adjustments.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Whether your child needs to get a dental crown on a baby tooth or a permanent one, you may want to know more about this restoration. We invite you to ask us, and we’ll happily address your concerns during their appointment. In the meantime, we’ve answered some basic questions below about dental crowns in Denver and hope our responses help you know what to expect from this treatment. You may also feel free to contact our office for assistance!
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns are pretty durable. With the right maintenance, they can last for several years before needing replacement. If your child has a dental crown on a primary or baby tooth, both may come out sooner than this just as a natural part of their oral development. Crowns on permanent teeth may be replaced after around 10 to 15 years, depending on how well your child cares for them. Crowns require the same daily care as normal teeth (brushing and flossing) and regular checkups to make sure they stay in good condition.
What Should We Do If My Child’s Crown Comes Out?
If your child loses a crown attached to a permanent or a baby tooth, you’ll need to schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Patrick. He can either reattach the crown or replace it, if it is damaged. If the crown is bonded to a baby tooth that is lost prematurely, Dr. Patrick may need to place a space maintainer or at least check for any other damage to your child’s oral cavity. Basically, in any case, losing a crown is deserving of a visit with us to make sure your child stays healthy and safe.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
No two cases are exactly the same, which means the cost will greatly depend on several factors, including the tooth that requires the crown, the material used, and the preliminary work that needs to be done to prepare the tooth for the crown. The good news is that most dental insurance plans include partial coverage for dental crowns, meaning you can expect to pay about half of the total cost out-of-pocket. If you would like, we can talk about your financing options to make treatment fit within your budget more easily.
Can a Dental Crown Become Decayed?
The stainless steel or ceramic crown is not susceptible to cavities. However, the underlying tooth beneath the crown is, which is why it still requires regular maintenance. Keep in mind that while the prosthetic crown cannot decay, it can become damaged as a result of neglect and misuse. By keeping plaque, bacteria, and damage to a minimum, you protect the natural tooth structure and extend the lifespan of the dental crown.