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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.
After a set of x-rays are taken, Dr. Hammond will be able to assess the extent of infection and present a treatment plan appropriate for your child. This may include pulp therapy and a stainless steel or zirconia crown where appropriate.
When a cavity gets really deep, close to the nerve/pulp of a tooth or into the nerve/pulp, the tissue becomes irritated or inflamed. Dr. Hammond will remove all of the infected material in the pulp of the crown leaving the living tooth intact. After a pulpotomy on a baby molar, the empty space will be filled with an inert material and a stainless steel crown will be placed to restore the tooth.
Stainless steel dental crowns are regarded as a good restoration to save a primary tooth until the permanent tooth can erupt and take its place. Keeping the primary tooth, if at all possible, is essential to maintaining proper tooth alignment. A crowned tooth must be brushed and flossed the same way as other teeth.
At this time, a zirconia or tooth-colored crown may be used when the integrity of an anterior tooth is compromised. They are very similar in color, but not exact, to a primary tooth. They are also very durable but are susceptible to fracture.
