When Would a Child Receive a Dental Crown?

Childhood cavities and fillings are a bit of an odd phenomenon. What do we mean? Well, so many children fear going to the dentist but, at the same time, sometimes think of a first cavity and filling as a badge of honour or right of passage. Kind of like that cool scar that kids might like to show off.

Parents don’t have nearly such an ambivalent attitude about cavities and fillings, of course. Parents understand that cavities are the result of tooth decay that usually emerges out of insufficient or inconsistent oral hygiene habits. That’s the bad news. The good news, though, is that cavities and fillings are almost completely preventable and your kids will get better and better at brushing and flossing as they get older and while they watch you practice what you preach! 

It’s important not to under-emphasize or over-emphasize the significance of childhood cavities. The goal of this brief article is to: point out the earliest indications of a cavity; and to describe the two ways that cavities are generally treated depending on how advanced the tooth decay has become.

The first signs of a cavity

Your dentist will be able to spot the development of a cavity while performing close-up examinations of your child’s teeth at regular dental checkups. That’s one reason attending regular checkups consistently is so important, so that dentists can deal with tooth decay quickly and effectively before more invasive treatment is required. Better yet, your dentist in Toronto will provide all the information you need to prevent the development of tooth decay in the first place.

You may be able to spot the development of a cavity in your child’s teeth, too. What should you watch for? The earliest sign of a cavity usually visible to a parent is a stained or brown spot between two teeth or on the biting surface of a tooth. A cavity can also present as a chip in a tooth. If you notice such a stain, brown spot, or chip, take your child to a dentist near you as soon as possible.

How are cavities treated?

If cavities do develop in one of your child’s baby teeth, it’s important not to ignore them. The health of your child’s baby teeth is essential to the development of their permanent teeth and future dental health. Yes, those baby teeth are going to fall out but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them or that they’re disposable.

Fillings and crowns

Your dentist’s goal will — even in the case of a large cavity — will be to preserve your child’s tooth whenever possible, and to let it fall out in its own time when the permanent tooth underneath is ready to erupt. Premature loss of baby teeth can contribute to misaligned teeth later. Achieving that goal in the case of a large cavity means three steps: filling the cavity; treating the nerve and blood supply inside the tooth to address any infection within; and capping that tooth with a dental crown to provide structural support to the tooth and ensure your child has her full range of dental function (the ability to eat and chew).

Extraction

Extracting a tooth with a large cavity is a last result, but necessary if the cavity is just one symptom of tooth decay that has progressed so far that the interior of the tooth is infected. Extraction may be required and justified to prevent that infection from spreading throughout your child’s mouth and jaw, and even beyond via her bloodstream. If a baby tooth is extracted, your dentist in Toronto will place a space maintainer in the tooth’s place to reserve room for her adult tooth to take when it’s ready. That will help ensure the permanent tooth (and its neighbours) come in straight and in position.

Does the prospect of a child being fit with dental crowns in Toronto surprise you? Dental crowns near you are an essential part of ensuring the health of teeth — baby and permanent — in patients of all ages. If you have any concerns about the state of your child’s teeth, don’t hesitate to contact our staff at Bloor Lansdowne Dental.