Dental Crowns
for Kids in Clear Lake

Stainless steel crowns are very durable and contain only safe materials. Stainless steel crowns are one of the most affordable dental crown options, which makes them a good choice for restoring baby teeth that will naturally fall out. Esthetic crowns are tooth-colored and blend in seamlessly to your child's smile. An esthetic crown is usually recommended for the front (anterior) teeth.
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At Big Picture Pediatric Dentistry, we will precisely choose a dental crown for your child based on size and shape to ensure it fits comfortably in their mouth. If you have chosen to proceed with a tooth-colored crown, we will match the crown material to the natural color of your child's tooth. After placement at our Clear Lake office, their dental crown will ensure the capped tooth is protected from further damage and decay.

Crowns are usually used to treat cavities that are too deep for a filling. They are also commonly used to restore and repair teeth that have been damaged by an oral injury and to cover up teeth that are treated with root canals. More rarely, crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes, but this is not common in pediatric dentistry.

First, Dr. Brock will numb your child’s mouth. Dental sedation can also be administered, if necessary. Then, the treatment will begin by gently drilling away damaged and decayed enamel from your child’s tooth. The tooth will be shaped into a stable platform, to which your child’s crown can be attached.
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Then, Dr. Brock will choose the perfect crown to fit over your child's existing tooth structure. Your child’s crown will be checked for fit before it is cemented in place to ensure it is comfortable. Dr. Brock will bond the crown to your child’s tooth permanently, completing the procedure. The entire process usually takes less than two hours in our Houston pediatric dental office. If the crown is being placed over a baby tooth, it will fall out naturally in time, just like a normal tooth.

While pediatric dental crowns are placed over decayed, damaged, or vulnerable teeth to protect them from damage, indeed, crowns aren’t indestructible or impenetrable to damage themselves. 

Crowns have many uses - to hold a broken tooth together, add strength and durability to a weakened tooth, cover up cracks and discoloration, or be placed after treating a tooth infection. While dental crowns are made of strong materials, they are subject to wear and tear just as your teeth are. 

If you’re not careful, you can damage, chip, break, or even dislodge them. This might happen because of dental trauma, teeth grinding, biting into something too hard, or recurring tooth decay. 

Stainless steel is the most durable crown that can be placed over a tooth. Whether or not we can repair a dental crown will depend on the extent of the damage. However, we can repair damaged crowns depending on the circumstances. We may re-cement a crown that has fallen off or replace chips with bonding. In some cases, however, the crown may need to be replaced.

Pediatric crowns are designed to last until the primary tooth naturally falls off. Stainless steel crowns are made of metal materials so they are highly durable and will last for a long time. Esthetic crowns are made out of composite resin, which is more fragile and prone to chipping.

This is why these crowns are only recommended to be placed in the front teeth for aesthetic reasons. They are not durable enough to withstand constant chewing and grinding forces in the rear molars. However, these crowns will last for a few years before needing to be replaced.

After your child receives their dental crown, they should wait until the anesthetic wears off before eating or consuming hot liquids. This is to prevent accidental biting or burning of their mouths while it’s numb. 

Once the anesthetic has worn off, they’re free to eat what they like. However, we recommend limiting their consumption of hard, chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods, which can cause damage to the crowns over time. 

Esthetic crowns can become stained if your child consumes a lot of staining foods and drinks so it’s a good idea to limit these or have them drink through a straw. If your child grinds their teeth, they should wear a mouthguard. Teeth grinding can crack or chip dental crowns as well as damage the natural teeth. Discourage your child from using their teeth to open packages, chew on their nails, on ice, or any other inanimate objects. 

This will damage their crowns. While crowns will protect your child’s tooth and restore their smile, it doesn’t protect them from tooth decay and gum disease. This will be dependent on their ability to maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular dental cleanings every 6 months.

If you think your child needs a pediatric dental crown, then give us a call at (281)461-7470 to schedule a consultation at Big Picture Pediatric Dentistry with Dr. Jason Brock. He will assess their teeth and make a recommendation for the type of crown that will work best for them.