If your child’s primary tooth has extensive decay, or has been damaged by trauma, action may be needed to restore the integrity of the tooth and prevent infection from spreading to surrounding teeth. After a set of X-rays are taken, your dentist will be able to assess the extent of the infection and recommend one of two options, a pulpotomy or a pulpectomy.
Pulpotomy
If the decay or trauma is confined to the crown of the tooth, a pulpotomy may be recommended. When a cavity gets really deep, close to the pulp of a tooth, or even into the pulp, the pulpal tissue becomes irritated and inflamed. A pulpotomy is when the inflamed pulp chamber, usually on a baby molar, is removed. The dentist will remove all the infected material in the pulp of the crown only, leaving the living tooth root intact. After a pulpotomy on a baby molar, the empty space will be filled with dental cement and a crown will be placed to restore the tooth.
Pulpectomy
If the infection involves tissue in both the tooth crown and the tooth root, a pulpectomy may be the best option. In a pulpectomy, the entire pulp material is removed from both the crown and the roots. After numbing your child’s tooth, the dentist will remove the pulp and nerve tissue from the crown and from the canals of the roots. Then, the pulp chamber and root canals will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Next, the dentist will fill the tooth and tooth roots with a dental cement, and finish with a crown.
Crowns
Crowns are a restorative procedure used to improve a tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.
Crowns can be used not only to save the decayed tooth, but they can also help prevent the spread of decay and infection to other areas of the mouth or body. Crowns restore a tooth's shape, size, and function.
A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of the tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes the tooth’s new outer surface.
STAINLESS STEEL CROWNS
When a child has a large cavity in a primary “baby tooth”, there is often not enough tooth structure left to hold a filling in it. In those cases, a stainless steel crown is used. Stainless steel crowns also are used to repair broken or cracked teeth and teeth weakened by defects. These crowns cover the damaged tooth and provide protection and strength. Because they are pre-made, stainless steel crowns are placed in one appointment and can be easily adapted to the child’s tooth. When the child loses the baby tooth, the crown falls out with it. Baby teeth that have received nerve treatments (pulpotomies or pulpectomies) also need to be restored with stainless crowns.
Alternatively, we also offer crowns that are made of monolithic Zirconia, a ceramic material time-tested for its strength and durability in adult dentistry. It is free of all metals including nickel.
TOOTH-COLORED ZIRCONIA CROWNS
For the last 60 years, large cavities in baby teeth have been treated with stainless-steel crowns. Although they are an excellent restoration and last without question, many parents have concerns over the stigma when their children have silver teeth.
One option is a Zirconia crown. Instead of having to use metal to place a strong layer of protection over the tooth, a beautiful, high-strength ceramic material is used. It can be used on either front or back teeth, and the child can avoid silver teeth. Cavities may keep happening, but at least we have an option to restore your son or daughter’s sparkling, brilliant smiles.
Kinder Krowns® offer esthetics, durability, and biocompatibility that no other material on the market can offer. By choosing Zirconia Kinder Krowns, you can be confident that your child's esthetic restoration will not only provide unrivaled esthetics but will also hold up until the primary (baby) tooth exfoliates.