A stainless steel crown is a tooth-shaped dental prosthetic made out of a durable, corrosion-resistant steel alloy. These tooth-shaped prosthetics are designed to fit over your child’s natural tooth after it’s been cleaned and prepared, covering it up all the way down to the gum line.
By doing so, your child’s stainless steel crown will protect their remaining tooth structure from further damage. Stainless steel crowns are usually recommended for severely decayed rear teeth, or teeth that have been broken or cracked by dental trauma, such as a slip and fall.
The placement process of a stainless steel dental crown is a little different than a ceramic crown. This is because, unlike ceramic crowns for adults, stainless steel crowns are made in a variety of pre-fitted sizes, and are not custom-made.
First, Dr. Sal or Dr. Yasi will clean and numb your child’s mouth. Then, the affected tooth will be gently cleaned and trimmed with a drill to remove any damaged or decayed enamel. Once the tooth has been shaped and prepared, Dr. Sal or Dr. Yasi will choose a pre-fitted crown that will fit onto your child’s tooth perfectly, and bond it into place. The entire process usually takes less than an hour, and is minimally invasive.
Stainless steel dental crowns are usually recommended instead of fillings if your child has a large or deep cavity in one of their rear teeth (molars and premolars). Why is a stainless steel dental crown a better choice than a filling? There are a few reasons.
First, stainless steel crowns require less tooth preparation. More of your child’s enamel will remain intact, which helps strengthen and preserve the tooth. The rear teeth are usually the last to fall out, so it’s important that your child’s restoration lasts until their tooth falls out naturally.
Stainless steel crowns also have a longer lifespan and a better long-term success rate, compared to fillings. This reduces the need to replace failed filings, prevents further decay, and reduces the risk of complications.
And while stainless steel does not look as natural as a white filling or a ceramic crown, this is not as much of a concern for young kids who do not yet have their permanent teeth. Since their baby teeth will fall out on their own, the stainless steel crown is not meant to last forever, and their smile will look perfect once their adult teeth come in.
For all of these reasons and more, stainless steel crowns are usually the best option for restoring decayed rear teeth. Learn more and see if a crown is right for your child by scheduling a consultation at The Little Royals: Dentistry for Kids if you are located in Jupiter or Palm Beach Garden!
"My daughter had a great first dentist appointment experience. The office is beautiful and clean and Dr. Sal was very knowledgeable. He took his time and was very patient with my daughter. I couldn't believe how well my 19-month-old daughter sat while getting her teeth cleaned. She loved the artwork and felt very comfortable with the dentist and staff. They went out of their way to make sure my daughter felt comfortable in her new surroundings. I loved this office and would highly recommend them."
"Our first visit was this morning with Dr. Sal and now it's hours later and I have not been able to stop telling my family and friends how incredibly happy we are that we found The Little Royals. The office is extremely kid friendly. It's set up for kids of all ages and families of all types. This was my 2-year-old's first visit to a dentist so of course everyone was a little apprehensive. Dr. Sal and his staff made all of us feel so comfortable and I appreciate the extra time, patience and care he gave us. If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Jupiter, this is it. This is where you need to go."
"If I could give them 10 stars I would, hands down the best dentist I’ve been to. They really knew how to handle my son and his nerves and made him extremely comfortable. Dr. Yasi and her staff were very welcoming and explained everything in detail! Glad to have found my son's new dentist!"
"2 of the kindest and most caring people i know. most knowledgeable pediatric dentists around."
"These two dentists are both extremely kind and caring. They are excellent with my children (16 and 6)! I have noticed that they are committed to continuous learning and always strive to provide the absolute best care to all children they treat."
"What a great experience our little man had for his first dental appointment! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is welcoming, staff is friendly, and Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi made sure to give you all the time you need and provided great education! It was an amazing experience from beginning to end!"
"Dr. Yasi and Dr. Sal are intelligent and compassionate doctors that we really feel lucky to have found. It makes such a difference to be able to trust the dentists when your little one has a difficult situation like we did, and we will be going back for regular care! A great team."
"The environment is welcoming and comfortable for children. The staff is absolutely wonderful! I highly recommend parents to bring their children, they will most definitely enjoy their visit! My daughter is already asking when we will be back!"
"This was the best experience myself or my children have ever had. Dr. Sal was so patient with my toddler and so accommodating with my teenager. The hygienist was so comforting and helpful to both of my children. We will definitely be visiting The Little Royals for all of our pediatric dentistry needs and we've already told all of our friends!"
