How Common Are Pediatric Dental Crowns?

When you think of dental crowns, you might first think of adult dentistry. After all, crowns help us protect the function, longevity, and appearance of the permanent teeth we have for most of our lives.

But what about kids?

You may be surprised to learn that pediatric dental crowns are far more common—and more necessary—than you once thought.

Dental crowns for kids are an effective solution to severe damage and decay in a child’s primary (baby) teeth. Yet, pediatric crowns are often misunderstood, especially among parents. They may assume damaged primary teeth will “just fall out;” or, they may think pulling the tooth and waiting for its permanent replacement is the best course of action.

So, what’s the truth? Here’s what you need to know about how common dental crowns are for children.

What are pediatric dental crowns?

Pediatric dental crowns are “caps” made of various materials (Stainless Steel, Zirconia) that dentists place over a child’s existing teeth to restore their original shape, size, strength and appearance. Dentists will sometimes recommend a crown when a child’s teeth are:

• Decayed
• Discolored
• Misshapen
• Broken

Crowns are most often recommended as a fix for significant tooth trauma and/or severe decay from dental caries (cavities). They’re more durable than fillings, making them a great option to repair and protect a child’s teeth until they are replaced by their permanent adult teeth.

Pediatric dental crowns are dental restorations used to repair and protect damaged or weakened teeth in children.

How prevalent are dental caries (cavities) in children?

Believe it or not, cavities outnumber both diabetes and asthma as the most common chronic disease among children.

In fact, a cavity is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever, according to the Indiana University School of Medicine. In the United States alone, 52% of children aged 6-8 years old have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.

Untreated cavities can lead to several complications, causing anything from discomfort to developmental issues in a child. For example, when tooth decay progresses long enough, abscesses (severe infections) may form under the gums. Left untreated, these infections can spread to other parts of the body, resulting in serious medical complications.

Before dental caries progress too far, dentists may suggest capping the affected tooth with a dental crown to repair its appearance and restore its function.

Are dental crowns really necessary for primary (baby) teeth?

Yes! Even though they will eventually fall out, baby teeth are important and should be protected. Everything from a child’s oral health, diet, speech, and self-esteem are at risk if damaged and/or decayed teeth are not properly treated.

Pediatric dental crowns become necessary when a child’s weakened or damaged tooth is at risk for further damage or premature tooth loss. Baby teeth play a pivotal role in a child’s functioning and development. When a child loses a tooth before it falls out naturally, it may affect the child’s ability to eat, speak, and maintain a confident smile.

While permanent teeth may arrive shortly after to replace what was lost, that timeline can sometimes be years. A tooth missing for that long can cause challenges in a child’s ability to chew food, as well as cause structural changes in a child’s mouth.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends crowns for primary teeth in situations like these and more. As a common dental practice in pediatric dentistry for more than 50 years, crowns are often the safest and best solutions to these common concerns.

Pulling baby teeth vs. pediatric crowns

Pulling teeth is often considered a last resort for dentists, as doing so can lead to complications including:

• Misalignment or tipping of primary teeth
• Crowding of future permanent teeth

These complications can lead to more costly and involved dental and orthodontic care. When it comes to primary teeth, the old adage rings true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Do baby teeth with crowns fall out on their own?