19
Nov
Repair Damaged or Decayed Baby Teeth with Pediatric Dental Crowns
Oh no! Your pediatric dentist recently told you that your child has an extensively damaged or decayed tooth and that a filling isn’t sufficient to properly restore the tooth. What next?
South OC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Mission Viejo, California, offers pediatric dental crowns for baby teeth. So, if your child has large cavity, our pediatric dentists — Drs. John De Lorme and Sam Wu— can restore their smile’s beauty and function with a dental crown.
Why your child needs a dental crown
You may be a little confused if your dentist says your kid needs a dental crown. It’s only a baby tooth — why not just remove it? Baby teeth need protection. Even though they’ll eventually fall out to pave the way for permanent teeth, baby teeth are essential for chewing, speaking, and confidence. Besides, when baby teeth are removed too early, they may complicate the eruption of permanent teeth and can cause shifting of the adjacent teeth.
There are several reasons why your child may need a crown. Some include:
- To replace a large, worn-out filling
- To protect a broken or cracked tooth
- To treat large cavities or significant dental decay
- To strengthen a weakened tooth
- To protect a sensitive tooth
A dental crown preserves the baby tooth until it falls out naturally. This allows your child to enjoy food, smile confidently, and live pain-free. Our office fabricates dental crowns using natural-looking materials, including porcelain, zirconia, and ceramic. Non-metal restorations deliver beautiful, durable, and safe outcomes.
What to expect from the procedure
The first step is to examine your child tooth’s to determine the extent of the damage. A pediatric tooth filling can correct minor decay or damage, but significant damage needs a crown. Before placing a crown, we gently remove the decayed portion and reshape the tooth to create a suitable foundation. We ensure your child’s comfort during this process by numbing the gums. However, if your child experiences dental anxiety, please feel free to discuss sedation dentistry options with us.
After tooth preparation, we take precise impressions of the prepared tooth, which are then forwarded to our trusted dental lab partner to fabricate the crown. While awaiting the permanent crown, we’ll temporarily place a protective crown or filling to safeguard the prepared tooth. Once the permanent crown is ready, we meticulously assess its fit before securing it to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive.
Taking care of the crowned smile
Pediatric dental crowns are durable enough to stay in place until the permanent teeth erupt. However, dental crown care is vital for longevity.
Taking care of pediatric crowns includes:
- Brushing twice daily
- Flossing at least once daily
- Seeing a dentist at least twice annually
- Wearing a sports mouthguard
- Avoiding the use of teeth as tools
Pediatric dental crowns near me
While baby teeth are placeholders for adult teeth, it doesn’t mean they should be neglected when damage or decay occurs. Pediatric dental crowns from South OC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics help restore the strength and functionality of baby teeth for optimal oral health.
If you want to learn more about how pediatric dental crowns can help your child’s smile, please call (949) 581 5800 to schedule an appointment with our pediatric dental team.
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Dr. John De Lorme
Dr. John De Lorme is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). He is a healthcare leader in his community, speaking at parent/child classes throughout South Orange County for the last 30 years. He attended Saint Mary’s College, University of the Pacific – Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Boston Children’s Hospital for his residency.
Dr. Samuel Wu
Dr. Samuel Wu, also an ABPD Diplomate, attended the University of California in Berkeley and Los Angeles and spent his residency at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Boston Children’s Hospital. He has a passion for medical missions to other countries.
Both Drs. De Lorme and Wu are affiliated with MobiSurg, an Accredited Surgery Center, and are members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Society, California Dental Association, Orange County Dental Society, and American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Chris Carter
Dr. Chris Carter completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and dental school and residency at Oregon Health and Science University. He practiced general dentistry for five years before specializing in orthodontics. His experience at the University of California – Irvine’s Plastic Surgery Department allows him to craft smiles that perfectly complement each patient’s unique facial features.
Dr. Carter is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, American Association of Orthodontists, Orange County Dental Society, California Dental Association, and American Dental Association.