Because the enamel of baby teeth is thinner than that of permanent teeth, cavities can spread quickly between teeth. Crowns can be used not only to save the decayed tooth, but they can also help prevent the spread of cavities and infections to other areas of the mouth or body. Crowns restore the shape, size, and function of a tooth. A dental crown is a type of protective covering that is placed over a tooth, usually to restore it after tooth decay.
When crowns are used on baby teeth, they are generally meant to help replace the function of a natural tooth until it is ready to fall out on its own. The terms “cap” and “crown” are interchangeable. If the tooth decay is small, your pediatric dentist can repair the tooth with a traditional filling. However, if the tooth decay is extensive, a crown or “cap” may need to be placed on the tooth.
Crowns are placed on teeth that have large areas of decay that could break if a traditional filling material is used to repair them. Specialist Kids Dentist provides dental plugs in teeth to children who have damaged baby and adult teeth. Children's crowns require a different treatment compared to adult dental crowns for teeth. Pediatric crowns are often used in young patients who are in active occlusion.
These patients require a crown that can adapt to a mouth that fits and grows. If the tooth decay is still small, your pediatric dentist can repair the tooth with a small, simple filling. However, if tooth decay has significantly damaged the tooth, it is often necessary to place a “crown cap” on the tooth. Crowns are placed on teeth that have large areas of decay that could break if restored with a simple filling material.
The silver-colored material dentists use to fill cavities or cover decaying baby teeth gives a child's teeth a silver color. Hopefully, this will help you better understand the question, “why do children have silver teeth? Not all children have silver teeth, only those who have cavities and need crowns on their baby teeth. Usually, dentists will try to fill a tooth or place silver crowns on baby teeth before removing a baby tooth. The exact procedure used will depend on the nature and severity of the cavity.
Often, especially with molars, dentists place plugs on children's teeth to strengthen teeth and prevent further deterioration. When children receive crowns on their baby teeth, dentists will use silver-colored stainless steel material. Silver crowns on baby teeth offer a quick and inexpensive (but durable) way to protect baby teeth until they fall out naturally. These silver crowns will pop out when baby teeth fall out.
When baby teeth have cavities or show signs of tooth decay, it's usually necessary (or at least a good idea to consider) to place crowns on baby teeth, especially molars.
