Pediatric Dental Crowns in San Angelo, TX

Restoring Strength and Function to Damaged Baby Teeth

When your child’s tooth becomes weakened due to decay, trauma, or developmental issues, a pediatric dental crown offers durable protection and restores full function. At Pediatric Dentistry of San Angelo, we specialize in child-friendly restorative solutions that preserve your child’s smile and prevent future complications.

Dental crowns are commonly recommended when a baby tooth has extensive decay that cannot be repaired with a simple filling. Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a vital role in speech, chewing, and guiding permanent teeth into position. That’s why our restorative dentistry options, including crowns, are designed to be both effective and minimally invasive.

When Is a Pediatric Dental Crown Needed?

Our dentists may recommend a crown if your child:

• Has a tooth with deep or recurring cavities
• Needs protection after a pulpotomy (child-friendly root canal)
• Has a cracked or fractured tooth
• Requires restoration for a developmental enamel defect

A crown acts as a full-coverage cap that safeguards the natural tooth underneath. This ensures your child can continue eating, speaking, and smiling with confidence.

To prevent decay before it starts, explore our full preventive dentistry services, including fluoride treatments and dental sealants.

What Types of Pediatric Crowns Are Offered?

At our San Angelo office, we offer several types of crowns depending on the location of the tooth, your child’s age, and your aesthetic preferences:

1. Stainless Steel Crowns – Strong and cost-effective, ideal for molars
2. Tooth-Colored Crowns – Made of composite or zirconia for a natural look, often used on front teeth
3. Strip Crowns – Clear plastic molds filled with composite for highly esthetic results on front teeth
   
   

Each crown is customized to fit your child’s smile and restore the tooth’s shape, size, and function.

Explore more about our approach to tooth-colored fillings, another aesthetic option for minor cavities.

What to Expect During a Crown Placement

Our pediatric specialists—Dr. McNair and Dr. Hanks—are skilled at creating a calm, engaging experience for young patients. Here’s what a typical crown appointment looks like:

1. Examination & X-rays: We assess the damage and determine the best type of crown
2. Gentle Numbing: Local anesthesia ensures your child is comfortable throughout the procedure
3. Tooth Preparation: The decayed or damaged area is cleaned and shaped
4. Crown Placement: The crown is securely bonded or fitted over the tooth

In some cases, we may use dental X-rays and dental impressions to achieve the perfect fit.

If your child feels anxious about treatment, we also offer sedation dentistry for a more relaxed experience.

Long-Term Benefits of Dental Crowns for Kids

• Protect developing permanent teeth by preserving baby tooth space
• Prevent infections by sealing off decay
• Maintain natural chewing and speech function
• Avoid future orthodontic issues related to premature tooth loss
  To ensure ongoing oral health, we also provide supportive care like space maintainers when a baby tooth is lost prematurely.

Financial Information & Membership Plans

Worried about the cost of crowns? We’ve got you covered. Pediatric Dentistry of San Angelo accepts most insurance plans and offers flexible options through our in-house membership plan for families without traditional insurance. This plan includes discounted rates and simplified billing.

Our insurance and payments page has all the information you need—or give us a call and we’ll walk you through it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dental Crowns

Q: Do baby teeth really need crowns if they fall out anyway?
A: Yes. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and support proper development of the jaw and bite. Leaving a damaged baby tooth untreated can lead to pain, infection, and misalignment.

Q: How long does a pediatric dental crown last?
A: A well-placed crown can last until the tooth naturally falls out, which can be several years, depending on the child’s age and oral habits.

Q: Is the procedure painful for children?
A: No. We use child-appropriate anesthesia and gentle techniques to ensure comfort. For especially nervous children, we offer safe sedation options.

Q: Can a dental crown come off?
A: While rare, crowns can come loose due to trauma or sticky foods. If this happens, contact our office right away so we can re-cement or replace it.

Q: Are crowns safe for children with metal sensitivities?
A: Yes. We offer tooth-colored, metal-free crown options like zirconia or composite to accommodate allergies or aesthetic preferences.

For more information on children’s dental care, visit our comprehensive FAQs page.