Protecting little teeth

When a cavity is large, a filling isn't always enough to keep a tiny tooth strong. A crown can protect it and keep your child comfortable until their adult tooth is ready to join the party. At Brave Kids Dental Co., our crowns for kids in Sandy, UT are placed gently, with plenty of explanation and comfort along the way.

What is a kids' crown?

A crown is a small cap that covers the whole tooth. It protects a tooth that's been weakened by a large cavity, a break or a pulpotomy, so it can keep helping your child chew, speak and smile.

When might a child need a crown?

• A large cavity on a small baby tooth
• A tooth weakened or broken by decay or injury
• After nerve treatment, to protect the tooth
• When a tooth needs to stay in place until the adult tooth comes in

Our crown options

We'll review the benefits and considerations of each option with you. Our goal is to support your family in making the right decision for your child's smile.

• Stainless steel crowns. A large cavity on a tiny tooth can weaken it, and a silver crown may be the right way to protect it. They're strong and ideal for back teeth that need to stay put until the adult teeth are ready.
• Zirconia crowns. For families who prefer a more natural look, our tooth-colored zirconia crowns are metal-free and durable.
• Colorful crowns, coming soon. We're adding fun colored crown options for kids who want to show off their bravery.

What to expect, step by step

1. We explain the plan. Dr. Vy shows you the options and explains each step to your child in kid-friendly words.
2. Comfort first. We numb the tooth, and laughing gas is available for kids who need help relaxing.
3. Prepare the tooth. We gently clean away the decay and shape the tooth for the crown.
4. Place the crown. The crown is fitted and secured, and we check your child's bite.

Throughout the visit, ceiling TVs, noise-reducing headphones and weighted lap pads help your child stay calm. For children who need more support, we'll talk about sedation options.

Why save a baby tooth?

Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and guide them into place. Losing one too early can cause crowding later. A crown helps keep the tooth healthy until it falls out naturally. If a tooth can't be saved, we'll talk about a space maintainer.

Caring for a crown

• Brush and floss around it like any other tooth
• Keep sticky, chewy candy to a minimum
• Keep up with regular checkups, so we can make sure it's holding up

A crown on a baby tooth is designed to last until that tooth falls out on its own.

A tip for parents

Some kids feel shy about a silver tooth, while others think it's a superhero badge. If your child is unsure, ask us about tooth-colored zirconia, and talk about their crown as something that makes their tooth extra strong.