Children’s teeth are important in the proper mastication of food, pronunciation of words, and positioning of permanent teeth in the mouth. Dental crowns may be used to restore the teeth when they are severely decayed, damaged, and have thin enamel. At Royal Medical Center in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, our pediatric dental specialists can provide your child with the best dental crowns.
What Are Dental Crowns for Children?
A dental crown is a protective cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function. In children, crowns are often used for severely decayed or broken baby teeth, helping protect them while maintaining proper spacing for permanent teeth and supporting normal chewing and speech.
Signs Your Child May Need Dental Crowns
Some dental issues may indicate that a crown is the best treatment option for your child. Common signs include:
- Severe Tooth Decay: If a cavity becomes too large for a filling, a crown may be needed to protect the remaining tooth structure.
- Frequent Tooth Pain or Sensitivity: Persistent tooth pain, especially while eating hot, cold, or sweet foods, may indicate deep decay requiring a crown.
- Cracked or Broken Tooth: Accidents or trauma can fracture a child’s tooth. A crown helps restore strength and prevents further damage.
- Large Fillings That Are Failing: If a tooth already has a large filling that keeps breaking or wearing down, a crown may provide better long-term protection.
- Tooth Weakness Due to Enamel Defects: Some children are born with enamel that is thinner or weaker than normal, making crowns necessary to protect the tooth.
- After a Pulp Treatment (Baby Root Canal): If a child undergoes pulp therapy due to infection, a crown is usually placed to protect the treated tooth.
- Discolored or Damaged Teeth: Severely stained or structurally damaged teeth may require crowns to restore appearance and function.
If your child shows any of these signs, visiting a pediatric dentist promptly can prevent more serious dental problems.
Common Causes of Dental Damage in Children
Several factors can lead to tooth damage that requires a crown:
• Poor oral hygiene leading to cavities
• Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks
• Dental trauma from falls or sports injuries
• Weak enamel or genetic conditions affecting tooth strength
• Untreated cavities that worsen over time
Early dental care and regular check-ups can help detect these problems before they become severe.
Who Is More Likely to Need Dental Crowns?
Certain children are at a higher risk of needing dental crowns. These include:
- Children who have a large number of cavities
- Kids who have disorders of enamel formation
- Children who often eat sweet treats
- Kids who have bruxism
- Children who have poor oral hygiene habits
In these children, regular dental visits are crucial.
Diagnosis at Royal Medical Center
When diagnosing dental issues in children, we adopt a careful, child-friendly approach at our Shakhbout City clinic, Abu Dhabi. This includes:
- Comprehensive Dental Examination: A complete dental examination by our Paediatric Dentists to assess your child's teeth, gums and overall dental health.
- Review of Dental and Medical History: A review of your child's dental and medical history to understand any past dental problems, which will assist us in determining what form of treatment is best for your child.
- Dental X-rays: Assist in finding hidden cavities, signs of infection or other structural damage of your child’s teeth.
- An Assessment of the Strength of Your Child's Teeth, as well as the Degree of Decay: Help determine if restoration of the tooth with something such as fillings, crowns or other restorative materials will be required.
An accurate diagnosis is key to your child's treatment with maximum effectiveness and comfort.
Dental Crown Treatment for Children
The type of crown used depends on the tooth location and the child’s needs.
Stainless Steel Crowns: These are the most common crowns for baby teeth because they are durable and cost-effective.
Tooth-Colored Crowns: Made from zirconia or composite materials, these crowns blend with natural teeth and are often used for front teeth.
Crown Placement Procedure
The procedure typically involves:
• Removing decay and cleaning the affected tooth
• Shaping the tooth to fit the crown
• Placing and securing the crown over the tooth
The process is safe and usually completed in one or two visits.
Benefits of Dental Crowns for Children
Some of the advantages of dental crowns for children:
- Protect teeth that have become weak or damaged
- Allow children to chew and speak normally
- Prevent further decay
- Make space for permanent teeth
- Make damaged teeth look better
Early treatment helps maintain oral health for children and prevents more complicated treatments in the future.
When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?
If you notice any of the instances below, your child should see a dentist as soon as possible.
- Prolonged toothache
- Sensitivity when eating hot/cold food/drink
- Cavities/discoloration on their teeth
- Teeth that are broken/chipped
- Swollen/infected gums
Early interventions will prevent dental issues down the road and save the child their natural teeth.
How to Prevent Dental Problems in Children?
Preventive care is very important for maintaining your child’s teeth in good condition:
- Regular Dental Check-ups: This is very important for maintaining good oral hygiene for children.
- Proper Brushing and Flossing: Children should brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Smart Diet: Children should avoid sugary foods that can harm their teeth.
- Dental Sealants: Dental sealants can protect children’s molars from cavities.
- Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride treatments can protect children’s teeth from cavities.
Why Choose Royal Medical Center in Abu Dhabi?
There are many excellent reasons to come to Royal Medical Center in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, some include the following:
• Experienced Pediatric Dentists: Our pediatric dentist team members have years of experience providing gentle, yet effective, dental services to kids.
• Advanced dental technology: Allows us to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment with modern diagnostic tools (i.e. x-rays, computer imaging, etc.) and state-of-the-art treatment techniques (i.e. laser dentistry).
• Child-Friendly Environment: Our clinic is designed specifically to keep kids happy and relaxed; we offer a kid-friendly environment.
• Personalized Treatment Plans: Every child will receive an individualized treatment plan based on their unique needs.
• Convenient Location: The Royal Medical Center is centrally located in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi making it easy for families to access.
• Compassionate Patient Care: We strive to provide safe, comfortable, high quality care for all kids who visit us; we take great compassion in caring for our young patients throughout the whole range of dental care they will receive at Royal Medical Center.
Maintaining Your Child’s Oral Health After Treatment
After your child gets a dental crown, the following are the steps to be taken in order to ensure the health and well-being of the child:
• Brush and floss the teeth regularly
• Avoid sticky and hard foods
• Attend routine dental visits
• Follow your dentist’s instructions
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
Conclusion
Dental crowns are very instrumental in the protection and restoration of your child’s damaged teeth. Identifying the first signs of tooth decay, pain, and damage enables you to take your child for the necessary treatment before the problem gets out of hand.
At the Royal Medical Centre, located at Villa 105, Plot Number 105, Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, we have the best team of pediatric dentists dedicated to providing your child with the best care for their teeth.
Schedule a consultation with us today to get the best smile!
FAQs
Q: Are Dental Crowns Safe for Children?
A: Yes, dental crowns are safe for children. It is one of the most commonly used treatments for baby teeth that have become damaged.
Q: Do Dental Crowns Hurt?
A: No, the process is painless. Dentists will ensure that children are comfortable during the process by using anesthesia.
Q: How Long Do Children’s Dental Crowns Last?
A: Dental crowns will last as long as the baby teeth last. This is because the crowns will fall off when the baby teeth fall off.
Q: Can a Child Eat Normally With a Dental Crown?
A: Yes, children can eat normally after they have been given a crown. However, it is important to avoid very sticky or hard foods.
Q: Where is Royal Medical Center Located?
A: It is located at Villa 105, Plot Number 105, Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, 32866, Abu Dhabi.
