Restoring Strength and Confidence to Your Smile
When a baby tooth has extensive decay or has already had a large filling, a filling alone may no longer be enough to protect it. Dental crowns cover and reinforce the entire tooth, restoring its strength and shape so your child can keep eating, talking, and smiling comfortably. Dr. Vidhee Shah and Dr. Dr. Justin Baik offer both stainless steel and zirconia crown options, so you and your child can choose the approach that best fits their tooth and your preferences. Protecting baby teeth can also support normal chewing and preserve the space needed for permanent teeth to come in properly.
Schedule a Crown ConsultationWhy Kids Need Dental Crowns
- Restores damaged teeth. Crowns cover a tooth that’s too weak or too decayed for a filling to fully repair.
- Prevents further breakdown. A crown seals off the tooth, helping stop decay from spreading further.
- Withstands everyday use. Crowns are built to handle the daily wear of chewing and biting.
- Preserves the tooth until it’s ready to fall out naturally. This helps maintain proper spacing for permanent teeth.
- Choice of materials. Stainless steel and zirconia options let you choose based on strength, appearance, or both.
Our Dental Crown Options
When a damaged or weakened tooth needs extra protection, a dental crown can restore its function and help prevent further damage. For children, we offer durable crown options designed to protect primary teeth while supporting comfortable chewing and healthy oral development.
Stainless Steel Crown: Stainless steel crowns are durable, pre-formed crowns most often used on back baby teeth that face heavy chewing pressure. They’re fitted over the prepared tooth in a single visit, making them a fast and reliable option, especially for molars that aren’t visible when your child smiles.
Zirconia Crown: Zirconia crowns offer a tooth-colored, natural-looking alternative to stainless steel, often chosen for front teeth or by parents who prefer a more cosmetic result. Made from a strong ceramic material, zirconia crowns hold up well to daily use while blending in seamlessly with the rest of your child’s smile.
The Dental Crown Process
Getting a dental crown is a straightforward process designed to restore the tooth while keeping your child as comfortable as possible. Our dental team will carefully evaluate the tooth, explain the recommended treatment, and guide you through each step from preparation to aftercare.
01.
Exam and X-Rays
We evaluate the tooth to confirm a crown is the right treatment and determine which type fits best.
02.
Preparing the Tooth
The tooth is gently shaped to make room for the crown to fit securely.
03.
Placing the Crown
The stainless steel or zirconia crown is fitted and secured over the tooth, often in the same visit.
04.
Checking the Fit
We make sure the crown feels comfortable and aligns properly with your child’s bite.
05.
Aftercare Guidance
We’ll walk you through how to care for the crowned tooth going forward.
Is Your Child a Candidate for a Dental Crown?
A crown may be recommended when:
- A cavity is too large for a filling to restore the tooth properly
- A tooth has already had a large filling and needs additional support
- A baby tooth has weakened enamel or is prone to breaking
- Your child has had pulp therapy and needs the tooth protected afterward
- Your child’s exam and X-rays show decay or damage extending beyond what a filling can repair
Dr. Shah or Dr. Justin will review your child’s tooth and recommend whether a stainless steel or zirconia crown is the better fit.
Protect Your Child’s Smile With a Durable Crown
If your child’s dentist has recommended a crown, the Fox Pediatric Dentistry team in Elgin is ready to help you choose the right option and make the process as comfortable as possible. Contact Fox Pediatric Dentistry to schedule a visit.
Book Your Child’s AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
It often comes down to the tooth’s location and your preferences. Stainless steel is commonly used for back molars, while zirconia is popular for front teeth or when a more natural appearance is preferred.
Stainless steel crowns are most often placed on back molars, where they’re rarely visible.
Yes, zirconia crowns are made from a strong ceramic material designed to withstand normal chewing while offering a more natural, tooth-colored appearance.
Our team takes a gentle, kid-friendly approach to numbing and preparation, so most children tolerate the process well.
Crowns are designed to protect the tooth for as long as it’s meant to stay in place, until the baby tooth naturally falls out.
Yes, both stainless steel and zirconia crowns can typically be prepared and placed in a single appointment.
If a crown ever feels loose or falls out, contact our office right away so we can evaluate and address it.
Regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits are enough to keep the crowned tooth healthy, just as you would for any other tooth.
