One of the hardest things a pediatric dentist has to tell a parent is, “Your child has cavities.”
Sometimes you already know, and sometimes you are taken off guard; but regardless of the circumstances, these words can often leave a parent feeling guilty and uncertain about what comes next.

If the cavity is small, your pediatric dentist can fix the tooth with a traditional filling. However, if the decay is extensive, it may be necessary to place a crown or “cap” on the tooth. Crowns are placed on teeth that have large areas of decay that could possibly break if a traditional filling material is used to fix it.

Why Use Crowns on Baby Teeth?

One of the first questions that come to mind about pediatric stainless steel crowns is usually: “Why is it necessary? And, why not just pull the tooth?”
Crowns are often the best treatment plan for decayed or damaged baby teeth for one main reason.
The alternative to using a crown would be extraction, which can lead to complications if a baby tooth is removed too soon such as blockage, misalignment or tipping of baby teeth, or crowding of permanent teeth as they begin to arrive. This could necessitate further treatment including orthodontic care.
Using crowns allows the baby tooth to continue to act as a placeholder until permanent teeth have reached full maturity, while addressing the decayed tooth.
So your child needs crowns, and you are asking, “What choices does my child have?”
Some of the most common options a pediatric dentist may offer are listed below. At Sprout Kids Dentistry, we offer stainless steel crowns otherwise known as “silver” crowns to restore baby molars, and composite strip crowns to restore baby front teeth.

STAINLESS STEEL CROWNS

Stainless steel crowns are the most common type of crown used in pediatric dentistry. These are what many people call “silver” crowns. These crowns are covered by most major insurances. They are very durable and are a great option if you aren’t concerned about the cosmetic appearance of baby teeth.  On rare occasions, they can cause localized tissue irritation and have been known to be a contributing factor in metal allergies.

STAINLESS STEEL CROWNS WITH WHITE FACINGS

Stainless steel crowns can be made to look more aesthetically pleasing, especially when front teeth need treatment. This type of stainless steel crown is available with a pre-veneered plastic facing. These crowns are more cosmetic in appearance because from the front they look “white” but the reverse side is the portion of silver crown that is non-coated metal. In order for the white facing to adhere to the metal, extra bulk must be added, so these crowns tend to look bulk, thick or rounded. The white facing also has a tendency to chip off easily over time, exposing the silver crown underneath. There are two main reasons the white facings of a stainless steel may chip off: (1) when children grind their teeth, (2) or as a result of regular wear and tear related to chewing forces on back teeth.

COMPOSITE STRIP CROWNS OR RESIN CROWNS

This type of crown is very cosmetic when prepared well by your child’s pediatric dentist. Placing these crowns requires tremendous skill. It also requires the most time to complete. Because of the time required, these crowns can be difficult to place on young, uncooperative children. General anesthesia sedation is often recommended for a cosmetic crown procedure. Strip crowns are entirely made of composite “white” “filling material. This filling material looks very natural– a shade guide may be used to match the crown’s color to the color of your child’s natural teeth. The biggest consequence of composite strip crowns or resin crowns is that they have a tendency to absorb food stains and discolor. It can also attract plaque if brushing and flossing is not done well and recurrent decay may result. Resin crowns are also much weaker than stainless steel crowns so there is an increased risk that a piece or corner of the crown may break off.  Most major insurances cover composite strip crowns on front teeth only for baby teeth that require treatment.

How are baby teeth prepared for stainless steel crowns?

1. Your pediatric dentist may recommend using “Laughing gas” and Novocaine for a stainless steel crown procedure. Laughing gas is a very mild form of conscious sedation that helps to manage nervousness or anxiety. Your child is awake during the entire procedure. Novocaine is injected into the gums surrounding the decayed tooth so there is no discomfort during the stainless steel crown procedure.

2. A soft latex sheet called a rubber dam is draped over the mouth to isolate the tooth being treated. This also helps to keep the working area free of any moisture, increasing the dentist’s field of view while preventing the child from swallowing any debris.

3. First, the chewing surface is reduced by about 1.5mm outlining the tooth. Second, the contact area between neighboring teeth is opened to create space for stainless steel crown placement. And third, all decay is removed from the tooth.

4. A crown is chosen, sized, trimmed, and fitted to adapt to the prepared primary tooth. The crown and the tooth are then washed and dried separately.

5. Cement, otherwise known as “tooth glue” is mixed and placed on the insides of the stainless steel crown prior to being fitted on the tooth.

6. The rubber dam is removed and the child is asked to bite hard on the crown so that all the excess cement is removed.

7. The excess cement is cleaned off and the tooth contacts are flossed to finish the procedure.

What do we need to do after a stainless steel crown is placed?

Because we use Novocaine during the crown fitting process, your child should not eat until the anesthetic wears off to avoid biting their lip, cheek, or tongue unknowingly. Once it has gone away, they are free to eat and drink as normal, although the crown may be sensitive. They may feel some discomfort for a day or two after the procedure, which can be handled with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Ibuprofen.

Pediatric Stainless Steel Crowns in Quincy, MA
You and your child may be nervous if a stainless steel crown procedure is in order, but at Sprout Kids Dentistry, we know how to create a safe and welcoming environment for you and your little one. Don’t wait to get the treatment your child needs – call 617-934-6339 or visit us online to schedule your pediatric stainless steel crown appointment today.

One serious form of decay common among young children is baby bottle tooth decay (Early Childhood Caries). This condition is caused by frequent and prolonged exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, soda and other sweetened drinks.

Putting a baby down for a nap or to bed at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Early childhood caries can also occur when a child goes to sleep while breastfeeding or wakes in the middle of the night to breastfeed without having their teeth brushed. Although you may not see the immediate effects of adlib breastfeeding on your baby’s teeth, the unintentional result of weakened enamel and tooth decay may take years to become apparent when your baby is preschool age.

During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is reduced. A sweet beverage pools around your child’s teeth, bathing it, and giving plaque bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that quickly attack tooth enamel. If you must give your baby a bottle to comfort them at bedtime, it should be only warm tap water.

After each bedtime bottle feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to clean away milk and plaque that coats their teeth. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place your child’s head in your lap or lay your child on a change table or the floor. Whatever position you choose, be sure you can see into your child’s mouth easily.

Developmental Timeline

Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. Your goal is to have your baby weaned from the bottle by 12-14 months of age. Next, he/she should be weaned from using sippy cups or straw cups exclusively to drink by 2 years of age.

The American Pediatric Dental Association (AAPD) and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest juice should be limited to mealtimes and not offered with snacks. Only water is encouraged in between meals. The AAPD and AAP juice guidelines are as follows:

Juice should not be introduced into the diet of infants before 12 months of age unless clinically indicated. The intake of juice should be limited to, at most, 4 ounces/day in toddlers 1 through 3 years of age, and 4 to 6 ounces/day for children 4 through 6 years of age. For children 7 to 18 years of age, juice intake should be limited to 8 ounces or 1 cup of the recommended 2 to 2.5 cups of fruit servings per day. For more tips on how to care for your baby’s mouth or to schedule your baby’s first dental appointment at Sprout Kids Dentistry with Dr. Anderson, call 617-328-1700.

Many of us can probably remember a time when we lied to our parents about brushing our teeth. It’s never a fun thing for kids to do, especially when it comes to toddlers. They will often resist and throw tantrums to avoid the annoying task of cleaning their teeth. And as a parent, you also don’t want to deal with the daily fight that comes with getting out the toothbrush and toothpaste.

Regardless of whether your toddler wants to brush their teeth or not, it’s a necessary task to keep them healthy. Here are some ways you can make brushing your toddler’s teeth an easier task for everyone.

Why It’s Important

Even though your toddler’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, it’s still crucial that they avoid unhealthy oral hygiene practices. Neither you nor your child will want to deal with the pain of needing a cavity filled. Plus, starting them off with good brushing habits as early as possible will make it easier for them to continue these practices as they grow up.

Why Do They Resist?

At this stage in life, a child is becoming aware of their wants and learning how to say no. Being told to do something that they don’t enjoy, want to do, or understand the importance of leads to resistance. They don’t yet know why brushing is important and the effects that not cleaning your teeth can have. Therefore, they only see it as a chore and an inconvenience rather than a necessity.

How to Encourage Healthy Habits

Here are some tips to help your toddler start brushing their teeth with less fuss.

Explain Why It’s Important

Making sure your toddler knows that brushing their teeth is important, even if they don’t understand why yet, will help them take it more seriously.

Lead by Example

Make brushing your teeth together a part of your routine, even if you are just pretending to do it. Turning it into a bonding activity can help your toddler find comfort in the act and make them more likely to brush their teeth without throwing a tantrum.

Let Them Take Charge

Forcing your toddler to brush, or even trying to brush their teeth yourself, will likely only lead to more resistance from them. Instead, let them take the lead. Give them the toothbrush and make sure they have a safe amount of toothpaste on, and guide them through proper brushing. Being able to do this themselves will make them feel more in control of the situation, giving them confidence and a sense of independence. In addition to that, let them choose their own toothbrush to feel like they have more of a say in the situation.

Make It Fun!

Add something into the brushing routine that will engage your toddler. You can have a song that you play to make sure they brush for long enough, or even try to sing together while brushing your teeth for a good laugh! You can also incorporate a simple little dance to do, or have a special piece of clothing they put on each time. Whatever your child is interested in or keeps their attention will be beneficial to incorporate.

Get Help From Professionals

The next time you take your toddler to the dentist, ask them to back you up on healthy brushing habits. Usually they will do this anyway, but having it reinforced by a professional will help your child better understand the importance of brushing their teeth.

Schedule a consultation

If you want more tips and tricks for helping your toddler feel more comfortable brushing their teeth, our team at Sprout Kids Dentistry in Boston can help! We are experienced pediatric dentists who work with children of all ages. You can get in touch with us by calling  617-934-6339 or filling out an online form.

The term “tooth extraction” may sound a bit scary, especially if you believe your child may need one. Tooth extraction for children is a common, safe, and relatively simple procedure. At Sprout Kids Dentistry, we work hard to make you and your child feel comfortable during any dental treatment.

WHY DO CHILDREN NEED TOOTH EXTRACTION?

Tooth extraction may be necessary for any of the following reasons:

• A tooth has become badly decayed
• A tooth has been injured or traumatized
• Baby teeth are interfering with incoming permanent teeth
• Baby teeth are interfering with alignment of teeth

WHAT DOES TOOTH EXTRACTION IN CHILDREN INVOLVE?

Tooth extraction in children is a simple, straightforward procedure. It is usually less involved than tooth extraction in adults. First, an x-ray will be taken to determine the condition of the tooth’s roots and the surrounding bone. Typically, a tooth extraction requires only a local anesthetic. Once the tooth and surrounding area are numb, the dentist uses forceps to remove the tooth.

More complicated extractions may require the removal of some of the surrounding gum tissue. In such cases, IV sedation or nitrous oxide is administered. Sedation dentistry is a common and safe procedure for children.

FOLLOW-UP CARE FOR TOOTH EXTRACTION IN CHILDREN

Make sure your child knows that some bleeding is to be expected after tooth extraction. Following the procedure, sterile gauze will be applied to the affected area so the blood can form a clot. Failure to establish and keep this blood clot in place can result in a painful condition called dry socket. More involved tooth extractions may require a stitch or two to heal correctly.

Your child shouldn’t rinse for twenty-four hours following tooth extraction. After one day, rinsing with salt water is recommended. There may be some mild discomfort following the procedure. If this is the case, use Tylenol or Ibuprofen for relief. Hard or crunchy foods should be avoided for a few days after tooth extraction.

SAVING SPACE FOR ADULT TEETH

Baby teeth serve as a sort of place-holder for permanent teeth and help guide adult teeth into their proper place. For this reason, when a baby tooth is pulled, it is sometimes recommended a space maintainer is put in its place.

TOOTH EXTRACTIONS/SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

If you require pediatric dentistry in or around the Boston area, look no further than Sprout Kid’s Dentistry in Quincy. Doctor Anderson and her team treat only children and have created a child-centered and fun atmosphere designed to put your little ones at ease while they get the quality dental work they need. Call today for a consultation or fill out our online form.

Tooth decay in kids is a common problem that is often overlooked. In fact, it’s the most prevalent chronic condition in children, and the Centers for Disease Control reports that over 40 percent of children have a cavity before they even get to kindergarten. They have also reported that a large percentage of children have a decayed tooth that has not been treated.

There’s little disputing that pediatric tooth decay is a problem. However, the question is usually surrounding whether it’s an issue that should be treated. Many parents incorrectly assume that, since the baby teeth will fall out anyways, there’s no harm done. For this reason, these parents often consider crowns or other treatments to be a non-issue. There are many benefits of pediatric crowns when used for restorative purposes. Let’s take a closer look at this issue.

Why Baby Teeth Should Be Saved

For starters, it’s important to understand that decay on baby teeth spreads quickly, which means it’s important to be proactive to protect teeth. The fact is that baby teeth have an important function that cannot be understated or undervalued. If a tooth is lost prematurely, there’s a good chance that surrounding teeth will start to crowd the space of the missing tooth, which creates a problem when permanent teeth start to form.

In addition to affecting the way permanent teeth come in, removing baby teeth prematurely will affect the child’s ability to bite and chew. Essentially, molar crowns serve the purpose of promoting the long-term function of the teeth and preventing significant problems in years to come.

Dealing with Cavities

In the event that your child’s cavity is still small, there’s a good chance that the dentist will be able to repair the tooth with a filling. However, if there is a significant amount of decay and the tooth is severely damaged, there’s the likelihood that a crown will be needed to cap the tooth. Generally speaking, the purpose of crowns is to address issues of decay to avoid larger and more long-term problems.

Types of Crowns

There are different types of crowns to consider. The most commonly used crowns for pediatric dentistry are stainless steel, which are often called silver crowns. These are popular because they are sturdy and tend to provide a nice appearance. It’s important to know whether your child has any metal allergies or any other issues that would make stainless steel crowns problematic.

Not everyone appreciates the idea of silver crowns from an aesthetic perspective, which is why there are stainless steel crowns that are white-facing. These are often preferred because the front of the teeth look white to match the appearance of your child’s natural teeth. Unfortunately, this option is not always as sturdy as other options. Another problem that occurs is that children sometimes chip their teeth when chewing on white-facing crowns.

Although often difficult to place, another option for pediatric crowns is resin. This is sometimes a preferred choice because it looks natural in the beginning. However, resin has a tendency to stain as time passes.

About Sprout Kids Dentistry

Sprout Kids Dentistry aims to change how children feel about visiting the dentist. They achieve this goal through pediatric dentistry that’s collaborative and fun. The team at Sprout Kids Dentistry is committed to providing quality and safe dental care. To get started on the best dental care for your child, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form to meet with our pediatric dentists.