Pediatric Dental Crowns in Wichita & Derby, KS
At ICTeeth Pediatric Dentistry, our team provides gentle restorative treatments designed specifically for kids, including pediatric dental crowns.
When a baby tooth has a large cavity or has been damaged, a filling may not be enough to protect it. That’s where a pediatric crown comes in! A crown covers the entire top part of the tooth and protects it from further decay or damage until the tooth is ready to come out on its own.
Whether your child needs one crown or care for several teeth, our team always prioritizes your child’s comfort and works carefully to make treatment as stress free as possible.
Why Choose Us
- We have six talented pediatric dentists
- We have an amazing team who love small faces and big smiles
- Parents love the fun and positive experience for their kids
What Is a Pediatric Crown?
A pediatric crown is a small cap that fits over your child’s tooth. Most pediatric crowns come pre-made in different sizes. The dentist chooses the one that fits your child’s tooth and cements it in place.
Because a crown covers the whole tooth, it helps protect against new decay. It also provides strength and long-term durability with minimal maintenance.
Dr. Stephen P. Moore
Dr. David J. Brown
Dr. Trey K. Anderson
Dr. Amrita Khemka
Dr. Kristal Raya
Dr. Kelsey Martinez
When Does a Child Need a Crown?
A crown may be recommended for a baby tooth with:
- Extensive decay or a large cavity
- Decay that reaches past the sides of the tooth
- Enamel or tooth structure that didn’t form correctly
- A fracture
- Treatment to the pulp, the soft inner part of the tooth
Crowns are also a common choice for children at high risk for cavities. During your child’s exam, we’ll explain whether a filling or a crown is the better fit and answer any questions you have. For smaller cavities, learn about our tooth-colored fillings.
Why Crowns Help Protect Baby Teeth
Baby teeth may be small, but they have big jobs! They help your child chew and speak, give the face its shape, and hold space so adult teeth can come in the right way.
Some baby molars don’t fall out until around age 13, so a back tooth may need to last many years. A crown helps keep that tooth healthy and in place, which maintains the natural spacing for the adult teeth that come in later.
For large cavities, stainless steel crowns are more likely than fillings to last for the life of the baby tooth. Leaving decay untreated, on the other hand, can lead to pain and infections that make it harder for kids to eat, speak, play, and learn.
Types of Pediatric Crowns
There are a few different types of pediatric crowns. Your child’s dentist will talk with you about which option fits the tooth being treated.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns, often called silver crowns, are made of stainless steel, nickel, and chrome. They are used to restore back teeth.
A stainless steel crown usually lasts for the life of the baby tooth and comes out along with it when the tooth falls out. Because these crowns contain nickel, let our team know if your child has any metal allergies.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are tooth-colored crowns that are strong, natural-looking, and biocompatible. They can be used on front teeth, and they may also be used on back teeth in place of stainless steel when appearance is a concern.
To fit properly, a zirconia crown requires more of the tooth to be shaped than a stainless steel crown does.
Resin Strip Crowns
Resin strip crowns are tooth-colored crowns bonded to front baby teeth. They need enough healthy tooth structure to bond to and an area free of saliva and bleeding while they are placed.
What to Expect During Your Child’s Crown Visit
Our team uses kid-friendly communication and gentle techniques to explain dental procedures in a way children can understand. During a typical crown appointment, the dentist will:
- Numb the tooth with local anesthetic
- Remove the decay and shape the tooth
- Fit the crown over the tooth and cement it in place
At first, the crown may feel a little tight and your child’s bite may feel slightly different. Kids usually adjust quickly!
Sometimes the dentist finds that there is too much decay for the tooth to be saved. If so, the tooth may need to be removed, and we’ll talk with you about next steps. If a baby tooth is lost early, the dentist may recommend a space maintainer to hold the space open for the adult tooth.
Sedation Options for Kids
Some children feel anxious about dental visits or need extra support during treatment. ICTeeth offers sedation options, including nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to help children feel relaxed and comfortable.
Crowns are often used for children with a high risk of cavities whose treatment is completed with sedation or general anesthesia. Learn more on our Sedation Dentistry and Special Needs Dentistry pages.
Caring for Your Child’s New Crown
After your child’s appointment, keep these tips in mind:
- Watch that your child doesn’t bite or burn their lip while it is still numb
- Your child can go back to school after treatment
- Eating and talking may feel different at first, which usually settles within a few weeks
- Brush the crown twice a day and clean between the teeth as usual
- Brush carefully around the crown to help keep the gums healthy
Losing a crown is one of the main reasons pediatric crowns fail, so call us if your child’s crown feels loose or comes off. Keep up with regular checkups and preventive care to protect the rest of your child’s smile.
Keeping Your Child’s Smile Healthy in Wichita & Derby, KS
Preventive care is the foundation of pediatric dentistry. Our preventive services include:
- Routine dental exams
- Professional dental cleanings
- Fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel
- Dental sealants that help prevent cavities
- Digital dental X-rays
- Oral hygiene guidance for children and parents
Pediatric Crown FAQs
Baby teeth help your child chew, speak, and hold space for adult teeth. Some back baby teeth stay in place until around age 13, so protecting them matters.
A stainless steel crown normally lasts as long as the baby tooth. When the tooth falls out, the crown comes out with it. Once in a while a crown needs to be replaced.
The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic before treatment. The dentist will let you know if a pain reliever might help afterward.
Zirconia crowns and resin strip crowns are tooth-colored options for certain teeth. Your child’s dentist will explain which type fits your child’s tooth.
Coverage depends on your plan. Visit our Finances and Insurance page to learn more about the plans we work with.
Schedule a Pediatric Dental Appointment in Wichita or Derby, KS
If your child has a tooth that is badly decayed, broken, or bothering them, our team is here to help protect and strengthen their smile.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us today to schedule your child’s visit at our NE Wichita, West Wichita, or Smile Safari Derby location!
–“Squirtlechu”.
