Two of the most common pediatric dental treatments for cavities are fillings and crowns. Both dental fillings and dental crowns offer unique benefits, but one may be preferable to another depending on the specifics of the cavity needing treatment. This review discusses why a pediatric dental professional opts for either a filling or a crown. Read on to learn more about each one and when we might recommend them.
Whether or not a filling or a crown is more appropriate for a pediatric dental cavity depends on the severity of the cavity, the location of the tooth, and the patient’s preference. The following is an overview of what a dental filling and dental crown are and how to choose between the two options when it comes to pediatric dental treatment.
A dental filling is an artificial material that is placed in the cavity of a tooth after tooth decay erodes the enamel (the outermost layer of a tooth). There are different material types a pediatric dentist may use for a dental filling. Most commonly, fillings are amalgam or porcelain. Dental fillings are most suitable for small cavities, whereas they may not be enough to address larger cavities or more severe forms of tooth damage.
We typically recommend a pediatric dental filling when the cavity is minor and does not compromise the overall strength or structure of the decayed tooth. Fillings are often the preferable solution as they are less invasive and should last for the entire lifespan of baby teeth as long as they are well cared for in the long term.
A dental crown, also called a dental cap, is a restoration that encapsulates a dental cavity or broken tooth on all sides. Dental crowns consist of either ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, metal alloy, or gold alloy. The type of material that a pediatric dentist recommends depends on the location of the tooth and the parent’s preference for their child. Crowns are generally recommended when the tooth is more severely damaged or decayed and needs additional protection from further decay or damage.
A pediatric dental crown may be the recommended restoration if the tooth is damaged more severely or due to dental trauma. Often, we use dental crowns when the tooth is in jeopardy of becoming lost due to how weak it has become from damage or decay. In other words, if the cavity is too severe for a filling, then a dental crown may be the more appropriate solution.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Allendale, NJ
Does your child have a cavity or damaged tooth? If so, contact our pediatric dental team today to schedule a visit and determine whether a filling, a crown, or another restoration is right for you.
Request an appointment or call Bergen County Pediatric Dentistry at 201-312-6937 for an appointment in our Allendale office.
Cavities are a fact of life for people of all ages. Even with routine pediatric-dentistry care, most people will develop at least one cavity by the age of 20, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children can be especially prone to cavities for reasons including:Diets high in sugarInability to independently clean teeth…
One of the primary goals of pediatric dentistry is to prevent oral health concerns rather than only dealing with them if they develop. In addition to educational services to help parents care for their child's teeth between visits, pediatric dentists offer preventive dental treatments that help reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other…
An effective preventative treatment in pediatric-dentistry is the placement of dental sealants. While the procedure can be done for patients of all ages, it is more often used for children between the ages of 6 and 14, when their permanent teeth are coming in. Even though it is optional, the American Dental Association recommends it…