Stainless steel crown (conventional)
Stainless steel crowns are routinely used for baby teeth by dentists and therapists. A stainless steel crown has a 95% success rate. It is more durable than white or silver amalgam fillings. They help seal the tooth from bacteria.
When your child would need a stainless steel crown
A stainless steel crown acts like a 'crash helmet' and protects the underlying tooth. It is placed on some baby teeth to strengthen and protect the tooth if:
- the tooth has had root canal treatment (pulpotomy)
- there is too little tooth left to place a strong enough filling
- the tooth has enamel that has not developed properly
- the child has a high decay rate.
The crown contains nickel-chromium. Let the therapist know if your child has an allergy.
How a crown is put on
Bee Healthy uses 2 techniques to place a stainless steel crown.
For a conventional crown:
- the baby tooth is numbed using surface (topical) and local anaesthetic (injection)
- after debris is removed, the tooth is prepared and trimmed to specific dimensions, and a crown is tried on and then cemented onto the tooth.
The other technique we use is the 'Hall technique'.
Stainless steel crowns — Hall technique
After a conventional stainless steel crown has been placed
The crown will stay on the tooth until the baby tooth naturally falls out. It will still need to be cleaned well with a toothbrush to prevent plaque build up.
Regular reviews and care of a crown are necessary. Sometimes a crown may:
- come off, especially if a very hard, sticky food is eaten
- develop an abscess.
The surface may wear down, especially if your child grinds their teeth. This can usually be repaired.
Most children are not bothered by their appearance. They may even be proud of their smooth, shiny 'robot tooth' or 'princess crown'.