Kids Dental Crowns & Fillings
If your child needs help with a sugar bug (cavity) or two, don’t worry! Milestone Kids Dentistry makes your child’s dental crowns and fillings a good experience with a big dose of posi-vibes!
Learn about dental fillings for kids, dental crowns for kids, and how we keep your little one comfy during any dental treatment!
What Are Dental Crowns & Fillings?
Sugar bugs (cavities) are the most common chronic condition in children. As many as 42% of kids ages 2 to 11 have cavities. Sometimes sugar bugs can be difficult for parents to detect since they often hang out towards the back molars, between the teeth, or along the gum line.
Small sugar bugs can usually be fixed with a filling. However, if the cavity is large and the tooth is broken or beyond repair, a dental crown may be necessary. Fillings and crowns are both great options for patching cavities in baby teeth.
What Are Dental Fillings?
A dental filling is used to patch cavities or holes left by tooth decay. This is a good option for kids with small cavities and mild tooth decay.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A kids’ dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that shields the damaged baby tooth from further damage. These are used for more serious tooth decay, and are designed to keep the damaged baby tooth healthy until it falls out.
Why Fill Cavities In Baby Teeth?
You may wonder, do you have to fill cavities in baby teeth? Why fill cavities in baby teeth if they’re going to fall out? The truth is untreated sugar bugs can cause discomfort and pain for your little one, as well as leading to infections later on.
The good news is that cavities and tooth decay are easily preventable! With strong dental health habits and early detection, your little one can avoid getting those little sugar bugs.
Milestone Kids Dentistry is also focused on non-judgmental nutritional and dental health education so that your kid has all the tools they need to enjoy a lifetime of smiles.
What’s The Procedure Like?
X-rays are vital for our team to have an accurate diagnosis. We may also use radiographs to help detect cavities, diagnose bone disease, and spot any developmental issues. The earlier we can treat potential issues, the better!
Don’t worry! We use safe dental x-rays that emit up to 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays, and we’ll always try to minimize the amount of exposure to radiation. We also equip your child with a protective lead body apron and shield and make the process a breeze.
Regular checkups with our hygienists and dental exams will give you peace of mind that your kiddo will develop a beautiful smile. Good dental care starts early, so we’ll help equip you with the knowledge and techniques for stellar dental habits.
A dental crown procedure is a bit more involved than a kid cavity filling. The process usually follows this workflow:
- The dentist will start by numbing the area with a numbing agent and administering a local anesthetic.
- They will then put in a dental dam, which is a little piece of latex that helps isolate the tooth being worked on.
- This protects the rest of your kid’s mouth and creates a barrier between them and the dentist performing the procedure. It also helps children feel more safe and protected.
- Once the dental dam is in place, the decay is removed with a special tool called a handpiece. This is also used to shape the tooth, so the crown sits against it.
- Then the crown is cemented in place, and the procedure is over!
We understand that procedures like this might be scary for your little one, which is why Milestone Kids Dentistry specializes in personalized dentistry and behavior management. Every kid has different needs, and we have many types of safe sedation to make the procedure go smoothly for your child.
Fluoride Treatment For Your Child In Washington
Depending on what anesthetic or sedation your child had, it’s totally normal for them to be a little out of it directly after the procedure! It’s also normal for your child to feel slight discomfort around the area for about 24 hours after. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to help with pain. If pain persists for longer than 24 hours, contact us immediately.
Your kiddo should avoid eating until the numbness has worn off in case they accidentally bite the inside of their lip or cheek. Feed them softer foods until the discomfort subsides, and avoid hard or sticky foods that might harm the filling or crown.
Depending on what anesthetic or sedation your child had, it’s totally normal for them to be a little out of it directly after the procedure! It’s also normal for your child to feel slight discomfort around the area for about 24 hours after. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to help with pain. If pain persists for longer than 24 hours, contact us immediately.
Your kiddo should avoid eating until the numbness has worn off in case they accidentally bite the inside of their lip or cheek. Feed them softer foods until the discomfort subsides, and avoid hard or sticky foods that might harm the filling or crown.
Parents Trust Us For Their Kids Dental Crowns & Fillings
We understand that procedures can give your kiddo the willies. Our mission is to give your child the most positive experience possible, whether your kid is getting a procedure or simply getting their teeth counted (tooth examination).
If you have any questions about dental fillings for kids or kids’ dental crowns in Washington, we can help! We can’t wait to help your kiddo!
