Are Crowns Required for Baby Teeth? When and Why It is Required
Prior to their natural replacement by permanent teeth, children’s primary teeth are their first set of teeth. These teeth are important for a child’s development, even if they are only temporary. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is applied to a decayed or injured tooth to restore its size, strength, form, and functionality. Parents frequently wonder why such a repair could be necessary for a temporary tooth.
When is it advised to use crowns?
For main teeth, a baby tooth crown (ครอบฟันน้ำนม, this is the term in the Thai) is frequently advised when a straightforward filling is inadequate. This frequently happens when there is significant dental decay, particularly when the cavity is too big for a typical filling to properly rebuild the tooth’s structure. Compared to a big filling, a crown offers complete coverage protection that is more effective and long-lasting.
A crown is often required for teeth that are cracked or fractured due to trauma. A crown repairs the integrity of a baby tooth that has been damaged or cracked and stops it from breaking again. After pulp therapy, such as a pulpotomy or pulpectomy, crowns are usually implanted. Weak teeth that require a crown can also result from genetic disorders or developmental flaws of tooth enamel. Teeth are more susceptible to decay and damage as a result of these circumstances. By providing a barrier, crowns prevent future deterioration of these damaged teeth.
Crown types for infant teeth
SSCs, or stainless steel crowns, are a popular choice, especially for back teeth. These prefabricated crowns are renowned for their strength and duration, frequently lasting until the baby tooth naturally exfoliates. They are composed of a sturdy, corrosion-resistant substance.
For front teeth, a tooth-colored pediatric dental crown (ครอบฟันเด็ก, term in the Thai) provides a more attractive option. These consist of composite strip crowns and zirconia crowns. A tooth-colored resin material is utilized to create composite crowns, which are frequently used for front teeth. Despite their attractive appearance, they might not be as robust or long-lasting as zirconia or stainless steel crowns and might need to be replaced more frequently.
The significance of crowns for baby teeth
For a child’s general oral health and development, crown preservation of primary teeth is crucial. By maintaining the essential space in the jaw for the permanent teeth growing beneath them, these primary teeth act as natural space maintainers. The erupting permanent teeth may become crowded or misaligned if a baby tooth is lost too soon because neighboring teeth may slide into the empty area. The chance of requiring severe orthodontic treatment later in life is decreased by maintaining this spacing.
The development of appropriate chewing muscle coordination is also aided by having healthy teeth.
The development of speech is greatly aided by primary teeth. By giving the tongue and lips a sturdy structure to interact with, they aid in the formation of distinct sounds and words in children. Proper articulation and communication abilities are ensured by keeping these teeth healthy till they naturally exfoliate. Crowns support general oral health and stop the spread of illness. A crown keeps microorganisms from penetrating the tooth’s internal structures and possibly spreading to nearby tissues or the growing permanent tooth by sealing and shielding a damaged tooth. A better oral environment is facilitated by this proactive approach.
